X71.9XXS Intentional self-harm by drowning and submersion, unspecified, sequela

ICD-10-CM Code X71.9XXS: Intentional Self-Harm by Drowning and Submersion, Unspecified, Sequela

ICD-10-CM code X71.9XXS classifies the sequela of intentional self-harm by drowning and submersion, unspecified. It is an active, billable diagnosis code under the 2026 edition. This code is used for encounters addressing late-effect conditions following an acute drowning injury, rather than for the initial treatment of the acute event itself. 1 4

Plain-language overview

Code X71.9XXS describes a residual late-effect condition, such as an anoxic brain injury, that results from a prior intentional drowning incident after the acute injury phase has resolved. 4

What this code represents

The official descriptor for X71.9XXS is intentional self-harm by drowning and submersion, unspecified, sequela, and the concept is categorized with the semantic type of injury or poisoning. 1

The parent concept for this specific code is X71.9, which represents intentional self-harm by drowning and submersion, unspecified, establishing its place in the classification hierarchy. 1

Coding details

Under the 2026 ICD-10-CM edition, X71.9XXS is a billable code valid for HIPAA-covered transactions, and it is applied only for sequela encounters following the acute injury. 4

The broader category X71 denotes intentional self-harm by drowning and submersion, distinguishing it from accidental drowning codes like W74 and undetermined intent codes like Y21. 3

Documentation considerations

Documentation must explicitly connect the residual condition to the prior event, such as noting anoxic brain injury resulting from an intentional drowning incident on a specific date. 4

Vague clinical notes that fail to link the late-effect condition to the original drowning incident leave the X71.9XXS code unsupported during an audit. 4

What the sources add

While terminology records define the code's classification, public health research indicates ICD-10-CM codes for intentional self-harm are also utilized for injury surveillance in emergency department billing records. 1 2

A multi-site medical record review found high positive predictive value for intentional self-harm ICD-10-CM codes, noting external cause codes beginning with X appear in separate external cause fields. 2

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM X71.9XXS terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Multi-site medical record review for validation of intentional self-harm coding in emergency departments — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Drowning and Submersion Syndrome Definitions — cdc.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. ICD-10 Code X71.9XXS: Drowning Sequela Coding Guide — pabau.com; accessed 2026-07-27.