Top 10 Funniest ICD-10 Codes

In October of 2015, all healthcare providers were required to make the conversion from medical coding with the ICD-9 system to the “new and improved” ICD-10 system. With this transition came over 65,000 new codes in an attempt to smooth billing processes and assist in cost reduction across the healthcare delivery system nationwide. 

Despite the widespread controversy surrounding the ICD-10 system, healthcare providers (including optometrists) seem to be managing pretty well with this new change.

I’m not quite sure that the new system has “smoothed billing processes,” but one thing that I am sure of is that this hyper-specific coding system has brought many laughs due to the weird, obscure, and absurd codes that have been found for bizarre medical injuries.

Below are a few of my favorites.

W220.2XD: Walked into a lamppost, subsequent encounter 

At some point in our lives we’ve all been walking and looking down at our cell phones and accidentally walked into a pole or post of some sort, right?

It’s quite embarrassing. But what’s even more embarrassing is having to see a doctor because you’ve walked into a lamppost more than once! 

V00.01XA: Pedestrian on foot injured in collision with roller-skater, initial encounter

Who even uses roller-skates anymore? I’m not sure, but sounds dangerous!

Y92.146: Swimming-pool of prison as the place of occurrence of the external cause

The real interesting thing here is that there are swimming pools in prison?

Z63.1: Problems in relationship with in-laws

I mean, who doesn’t?

Y92.241: Library as the place of occurrence of the external cause

Ever been in the library studying for so long that you passed out and fell off of your chair? Or strained a muscle carrying so many heavy books? If not you, apparently someone else has. 

W61.12XA: Struck by a macaw, initial encounter

If you ever have to see a doctor because of this type of injury, consider yourself lucky! These birds are beautiful and some of these species are considered endangered. 

W52: Crushed, pushed or stepped on by crowd or human stampede

I would bet money that the frequency of this code correlates to the dates that Apple releases a new iPhone.

V91.07XA: Burn due to water-skis on fire, initial encounter

I’m not even sure how this would happen, but my imagination is running wild! Are water skis even flammable?

R46.1: Bizarre personal appearance

There’s no question that there are some really odd appearances out there, but could you ever really code for this? I’d like to rename this one the “Lady Gaga code.”

Z73.1: Type A behavior pattern

Of course Type A people have their own medical code. No other behavioral type does, except them (or maybe us). 

For those times that you think you’ve got the craziest patient in your chair with the most bizarre symptoms and presentation, just remember… There’s a code for that! 

-Dr. Dexter 

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