Fall ICD-10 Codes 2026Complete W00-W19 Reference Guide
Comprehensive reference for ICD-10-CM fall codes. Find the right code for slipping, tripping, stumbling, and falls with documentation requirements and Medicare billing tips.
ICD-10-CM Fall Codes: W00-W19 Overview
The ICD-10-CM code range W00-W19 covers all codes for "Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls." These are external cause codes that describe how an injury occurred, not the injury itself. The 2026 edition became effective October 1, 2025.
Fall due to ice and snow
Falls caused by icy or snowy conditions
Fall from slipping, tripping, stumbling
Same level falls on flat surfaces or moving sidewalks
Fall due to collision with another person
Falls after colliding with another person
Fall while being carried or supported
Falls when dropped by person carrying/supporting
Fall from wheelchair or mobility scooter
Falls from non-moving wheelchairs and scooters
Fall from bed
Falls from bed in any setting
Fall from chair
Falls from chairs or seating
Fall from other furniture
Falls from tables, desks, other furniture
Fall on/from playground equipment
Falls involving playground structures
Fall on/from stairs and steps
Falls involving stairs, steps, escalators, curbs
Fall on/from ladder
Falls involving ladders
Fall on/from scaffolding
Falls involving scaffolding structures
Fall from building or structure
Falls from, out of, or through buildings
Fall from tree
Falls involving trees
Fall from cliff
Falls from cliffs or natural elevated surfaces
Fall, jump or diving into water
Falls into swimming pools, natural bodies of water
Other fall from one level to another
Falls from docks, boats, heights NEC
Other slipping, tripping and falls
Falls in shower, off toilet, bumping against objects
Unspecified fall
Fall NOS - use only when specifics unknown
7th Character Extension Guide
All W00-W19 fall codes require a 7th character extension indicating the encounter type. If a code is not 6 characters, use placeholder X to fill positions before adding the 7th character.
Initial Encounter
First visit for treatment of this fall. Active treatment phase.
Example: W06.XXXA
Subsequent Encounter
Follow-up visits after initial treatment. Routine healing care.
Example: W06.XXXD
Sequela
Late effects or complications from the original fall injury.
Example: W06.XXXS
Important: Placeholder X Required
The 7th character must always be in the 7th position. For codes shorter than 6 characters, use placeholder "X" to fill empty positions. Example: W06 becomes W06.XXX + 7th character = W06.XXXA
Most Common Billable Fall Codes
These are the most frequently used billable ICD-10-CM codes for falls. Always use the most specific code available based on documentation.
| Code | Description | Common Setting |
|---|---|---|
| W01.0XXA | Fall from slipping, tripping without striking object, initial encounter | Clinic, ED |
| W01.10XA | Fall from slipping with subsequent striking against unspecified object, initial | Clinic, ED |
| W01.190A | Fall from slipping with subsequent striking against furniture, initial | Home, facility |
| W06.XXXA | Fall from bed, initial encounter | Hospital, nursing home, home |
| W06.XXXD | Fall from bed, subsequent encounter | Follow-up visit |
| W07.XXXA | Fall from chair, initial encounter | Any setting |
| W10.0XXA | Fall from escalator, initial encounter | Public places |
| W10.1XXA | Fall from sidewalk curb, initial encounter | Outdoor, public |
| W10.8XXA | Fall from other stairs and steps, initial encounter | Home, workplace |
| W10.9XXA | Fall on/from stairs and steps, unspecified, initial encounter | When specific stairs unknown |
| W18.11XA | Fall from or off toilet without striking object, initial encounter | Any bathroom |
| W18.12XA | Fall from or off toilet with striking object, initial encounter | Any bathroom |
| W18.2XXA | Fall in (into) shower or empty bathtub, initial encounter | Bathroom falls |
| W18.30XA | Fall on same level, unspecified, initial encounter | When specific cause unknown |
| W18.31XA | Fall on same level due to stepping on object, initial encounter | Home, workplace |
| W19.XXXA | Unspecified fall, initial encounter | Only when no details available |
Supporting & Risk Factor Codes
These codes complement fall external cause codes to document history, risk, and repeated falls.
History of falling
Z CodeBillableSecondary code to indicate past fall history and risk. Do NOT use as primary diagnosis.
Repeated falls
R CodeBillablePrimary code for patients with multiple recent falls under active investigation. Not for single falls.
Encounter for examination after fall
Z CodeBillableUse when examining patient after a fall with no identified injury.
When to Use Z91.81 vs R29.6
Z91.81 - History of Falling
- - Patient has documented past falls
- - No current active fall investigation
- - Used as SECONDARY code only
- - Indicates fall risk factor
- - Exempt from POA reporting
R29.6 - Repeated Falls
- - Patient experiencing multiple recent falls
- - Active investigation underway
- - Can be PRIMARY diagnosis
- - Indicates current clinical concern
- - Document fall frequency
Documentation Requirements
Required Documentation
- -How the fall occurred (mechanism)
- -Location where fall occurred
- -Activity at time of fall (if relevant)
- -Any objects struck during fall
- -Resulting injuries (if any)
- -Fall frequency for R29.6
Common Documentation Errors
- -Using Z91.81 as primary diagnosis
- -Missing 7th character extension
- -Using W19 when specifics are known
- -Not documenting fall circumstances
- -Incomplete injury documentation
- -Missing placeholder X in codes
Nursing Home & Long-Term Care Documentation
Falls in nursing homes require additional documentation for MDS 3.0 compliance:
- - Time of fall occurrence
- - Witnessed vs unwitnessed
- - Use of assistive devices
- - Bed/chair alarm status
- - Fall risk assessment score
- - Previous falls in facility
- - Post-fall assessment results
- - Interventions implemented
Code Sequencing Rules
Fall with Injury: Code Sequencing Order
Primary: Injury Code (S Codes)
Document the specific injury (fracture, contusion, etc.) as primary diagnosis
Example: S72.001A - Unspecified fracture of right femoral neck
Secondary: External Cause Code (W Codes)
Document how the injury occurred - the fall mechanism
Example: W06.XXXA - Fall from bed, initial encounter
Additional: Place of Occurrence (Y93)
Optional code for where the fall occurred
Example: Y93.89 - Activity, other specified
Risk Factor: History Code
Document fall history if relevant
Example: Z91.81 - History of falling
Example: Hip Fracture from Fall from Bed
Primary: S72.001A - Fracture of right femoral neck, initial
Secondary: W06.XXXA - Fall from bed, initial encounter
Additional: Y92.230 - Patient room in hospital as place
Risk Factor: Z91.81 - History of falling
Medicare Fall Risk Assessment Billing
Fall risk assessment is a required component of Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWV). Proper documentation and coding ensures reimbursement and supports quality reporting.
Welcome to Medicare
Initial Preventive Physical Exam
~$160.76
National Average
Initial AWV
First Annual Wellness Visit
~$185.00
National Average
Subsequent AWV
Annual Follow-up Visit
~$130.00
National Average
CPT II Quality Tracking Codes
Use these performance tracking codes on AWV claims to document fall risk screening:
Patient has documented falls in the past
No falls within past year OR one fall without injury
Fall risk assessment was completed
W18: Other Falls Detail Reference
W18 covers falls not classified elsewhere, including bathroom falls, falls from bumping objects, and same-level falls.
W18.0 - Fall due to bumping against object
W18.00 - Striking against unspecified object with subsequent fall
W18.01 - Striking against sports equipment with subsequent fall
W18.02 - Striking against glass with subsequent fall
W18.09 - Striking against other object with subsequent fall
W18.1 - Fall from or off toilet
W18.11 - Fall from or off toilet without subsequent striking against object
W18.12 - Fall from or off toilet with subsequent striking against object
W18.2 - Fall in shower or empty bathtub
Note: Fall in full bathtub causing drowning uses W16.21-
W18.3 - Other fall on same level
W18.30 - Fall on same level, unspecified
W18.31 - Fall on same level due to stepping on an object
W18.39 - Other fall on same level
W18.4 - Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling
W18.40 - Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling, unspecified
W18.41 - Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping on object
W18.42 - Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping into hole/opening
W18.43 - Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping from one level to another
W18.49 - Other slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for a fall?
The most common ICD-10 codes for falls are in the W00-W19 range. W19 is the unspecified fall code, but more specific codes like W01.0XXA (slip/trip without striking object), W06.XXXA (fall from bed), W10.9XXA (fall from stairs), or W18.30XA (fall on same level) should be used when possible for accurate documentation and reimbursement.
What is ICD-10 code Z91.81?
Z91.81 is the ICD-10-CM code for "History of falling." This is a billable secondary code used to indicate a patient has a documented history of falls, helping identify fall risk. It should not be used as a primary diagnosis and is often paired with external cause codes (W codes) or R29.6 (repeated falls).
What is the difference between R29.6 and Z91.81?
R29.6 (Repeated falls) is used when a patient is currently experiencing multiple falls and is under active investigation. Z91.81 (History of falling) is used as a secondary code to document a past history of falls without current active fall episodes. R29.6 indicates ongoing concern while Z91.81 indicates historical risk factor.
What is the 7th character for fall ICD-10 codes?
Fall ICD-10 codes require a 7th character extension: A = Initial encounter (first visit for this fall), D = Subsequent encounter (follow-up visits), S = Sequela (late effects or complications). Use placeholder X to fill positions 5 and 6 when needed (e.g., W06.XXXA for fall from bed, initial encounter).
How do I code a fall with injury?
When coding a fall with injury, sequence the injury code (S codes) as the primary diagnosis, followed by the external cause code (W codes) explaining how the fall occurred. For example, a hip fracture from falling out of bed would use S72.001A (hip fracture) as primary, with W06.XXXA (fall from bed) as secondary.
Is fall risk assessment covered by Medicare?
Yes, fall risk assessment is included in Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) under codes G0402 (Welcome to Medicare), G0438 (Initial AWV), and G0439 (Subsequent AWV). Use CPTII tracking codes 1100F (history of falls), 1101F (no falls/one fall without injury), and 3288F (fall risk assessment completed) for quality reporting.
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