ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
W94.2Exposure to rapid changes in air pressure during ascent
W94.2 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 4 more specific codes beneath it and add the required 7th character.
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 W94.2
W94.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for exposure to rapid changes in air pressure during ascent. It belongs to category W94 (exposure to high and low air pressure and changes in air pressure), block W85-W99 (exposure to electric current, radiation and extreme ambient air temperature and pressure) and chapter 20 (external causes of morbidity). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 4 subcodes must be used instead.
Within W94 (exposure to high and low air pressure and changes in air pressure), W94.2 is specifically for exposure to rapid changes in air pressure during ascent. Related codes cover prolonged high air pressure (W94.0), prolonged low air pressure (W94.1) and rapid changes in air pressure during descent (W94.3).
Codes in this range require a 7th character: A for initial encounter, D for subsequent encounter and S for sequela. Use placeholder "X" characters to fill any empty positions before the 7th character.
It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.
7th character
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W94
- W94.21Exposure to reduction in atmospheric pressure while surfacing from deep-water diving
- W94.22Exposure to reduction in atmospheric pressure while surfacing from underground
- W94.23Exposure to sudden change in air pressure in aircraft during ascent
- W94.29Exposure to other rapid changes in air pressure during ascent
- Ainitial encounter
- Dsubsequent encounter
- Ssequela
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to W94.2.
Broader instructions also apply from W85-W99 Exposure to electric current, radiation and extreme ambient air temperature and pressure and Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity.
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
- No changes since FY2016.
Common questions about W94.2
Is W94.2 billable?
- No. W94.2 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.