Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping from one level to another

Not billableICD-10-CM diagnosis code.

This code exists but cannot be submitted on its own. It groups the more specific codes beneath it.

A category header for its whole life, FY2016 onwards. It has never been valid for submission on its own.

Submit one of these 3 more specific codes instead:

W18.43XA Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping from one level to another, initial encounter
W18.43XD Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping from one level to another, subsequent encounter
W18.43XS Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping from one level to another, sequela

This code requires a seventh character. See the rule below.

What has happened to this code

Every change the publisher made, from 2014 to now. Entries marked draft are from the pre-implementation releases: ICD-10 took effect on 1 October 2015, so nothing before FY2016 was ever valid on a claim.

FY2014 Added to the draft code set draft Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping from one level to another

Official coding rules

Published by CDC for FY2027. A rule attached to a category binds every code beneath it, so the rules inherited from this code's ancestors are shown with the code they come from.

Inherited from W18 Other slipping, tripping and stumbling and falls

Seventh character required

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W18

Inherited from the W00-W19 section Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls (W00-W19)

Excludes1 - never coded here

assault involving a fall (Y01-Y02)
fall from animal (V80.-)
fall (in) (from) machinery (in operation) (W28-W31)
fall (in) (from) transport vehicle (V01-V99)
intentional self-harm involving a fall (X80-X81)

Excludes2 - not included here

at risk for fall (history of fall) Z91.81
fall (in) (from) burning building (X00.-)
fall into fire (X00-X04, X08)

How CDC's index refers to this code

Wording from the official alphabetic index. Much of it appears nowhere in the code description, which is why a search for the everyday phrase so often finds nothing.

Slipping > without fall > due to > stepping from one level to another
Tripping > without fall > due to > stepping from one level to another
Stumbling > without fall > due to > stepping from one level to another

Codes in the same group

Code	Description	Status
W18.40	Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling, unspecified	Not billable
W18.41	Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping on object	Not billable
W18.42	Slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling due to stepping into hole or opening	Not billable
W18.49	Other slipping, tripping and stumbling without falling	Not billable