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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

W46.1XXAContact with contaminated hypodermic needle, initial encounter

✓ Billable / specificRequires 7th character

W46.1XXA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for contact with contaminated hypodermic needle, initial encounter. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Contact with contaminated hypodermic needle, init encntr

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 W46.1XXA

W46.1XXA is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for contact with contaminated hypodermic needle, initial encounter. It belongs to category W46 (contact with hypodermic needle), block W20-W49 (exposure to inanimate 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 E920.5 (accidents caused by hypodermic needle).

7th character

Ainitial encounter

Other encounter types for W46.1:

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to W46.1XXA.

Broader instructions also apply from W20-W49 Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces and Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • E920.5Accidents caused by hypodermic needleapproximate

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 W46.1XXA

Is W46.1XXA billable?

Yes. W46.1XXA 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 W46.1XXA 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 W46.1XXA be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict W46.1XXA as a principal diagnosis.

Is W46.1XXA a CC or MCC?

No. W46.1XXA is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What is the ICD-9 code for W46.1XXA?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map W46.1XXA to ICD-9-CM E920.5.