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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

W50.4XXAAccidental scratch by another person, initial encounter

✓ Billable / specificRequires 7th character

W50.4XXA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for accidental scratch by another person, initial encounter. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About W50.4XXA

W50.4XXA is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for accidental scratch by another person, initial encounter. It belongs to category W50 (accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person), block W50-W64 (exposure to animate mechanical forces) and chapter 20 (external causes of morbidity). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

The 7th character "A" means initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as E917.9 (other accident caused by striking against or being struck accidentally by objects or persons).

7th character

Ainitial encounter

Other encounter types for W50.4:

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to W50.4XXA.

› From W50 Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person
Includes
  • hit, strike, kick, twist, bite, or scratch by another person NOS
Excludes1
  • assault by bodily force (Y04)
  • struck by objects (W20-W22)

Broader instructions also apply from W50-W64 Exposure to animate mechanical forces and Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • E917.9Other accident caused by striking against or being struck accidentally by objects or personsapproximate

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about W50.4XXA

Is W50.4XXA billable?

Yes. W50.4XXA is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

What does the "A" at the end of W50.4XXA mean?

It is the 7th character for initial encounter. Per the official guidelines, use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

Can W50.4XXA be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict W50.4XXA as a principal diagnosis.

Is W50.4XXA a CC or MCC?

No. W50.4XXA is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What is the ICD-9 code for W50.4XXA?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map W50.4XXA to ICD-9-CM E917.9.