Coding for medical diseases or injuries isn’t always the most enjoyable or recreational thing. If you aren’t related to medical coding or something related, it feels like a mundane and dry profession.

However, the irony lies in the fact that every diagnosis, treatment, or procedure ought to have a medical code. And this is where it becomes interesting. It isn’t about expecting patients to visit and complain about chest pain, abdominal pain, or a headache classified by R07.9, R10.9, and R51, respectively.

On some days, the patients may complain about weird or funny instances resulting in injuries. Some of the funny and weird encounters include:

  • Struck by a duck (should’ve ducked for cover)
  • Getting hurt in a library (sometimes knowledge hits you hard)
  • Bitten by a pig, cow, or even a whale (not so funny, trust me)
  • Conflict with boss or colleagues (office politics, the unofficial Olympic sport)
  • Dispute with neighbors (how American?)
  • Collision with a spacecraft (yes, you read it right. But where exactly?)
  • Hit by a sibling (helmets aren’t customary inside the living room)
  • Problems with in-laws (adding spice to family gatherings)

Want to know more about these funny or weird diagnostic codes? Let’s go!

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

What? Do you love whacking into lampposts? Is it your habit?

If you bump into a lamppost once, yeah we understand. But, if you do it again (and again), you’ve got some serious issues. Maybe you’re a social media freak, and your cellphone is to blame, but still watch your steps, mate. Or the GPS in your head needs an upgrade.

Reminds me of the ‘woman in the red dress’ scene from The Matrix. If that’s the case, it makes sense to me, but I can’t speak for other physicians and doctors.

W22.02XD: Spacecraft Collision Injuring Occupant, Sequela

Maybe the spacecraft captain lost his way.

Nah man, tell me you’re joking. Not even Steven Spielberg or James Cameron could script it. Or maybe the spacecraft captain lost his way, and they should be held accountable for it. Not your fault, right?

Whatever the story is, medical billing specialists must use this funny ICD-10 code W22.02XD to document an accident with the spacecraft.

Z59.2: Dispute with Neighbors

Tell me you’re an American without telling me you’re American.

A rift with your neighbors regarding loud honking, music at night, throwing trash, or parking space may impact your medical condition. Create a ruckus and fight with them however you want, as ICD-10 has a specific clinical modification to refer to in the medical records.

The doctor will properly entertain you if your health has deteriorated due to a clash with a neighbor. The diagnosis code that points toward health concerns caused by neighbors is Z59.2.

W61.62XD: Struck by A Duck, Subsequent Encounter

Watch out for a mean left-wing.

Although they seem innocent and harmless, if you’ve encountered wild ducks or you’ve irked them, these angry birds can be aggressive. They are dangerous if you try to force them or annoy their young ones. These hostile quackers will chase you with elevated wings and a beak to poke wherever they can.

Duck for cover. But if they hit you, don’t worry; medical billing has an ICD code for duck-induced injuries. Not only will you be treated seriously by the medical practitioner, but they’ll be reimbursed by the payor.

V97.33XD Sucked into Jet Engine, Subsequent Encounter

Eat this! Maybe they’re influenced by Bollywood.

The United States is full of surprises. And one bizarre medical condition is getting sucked into the jet engine. And surviving! Superpowers maybe? As if getting hit by a spacecraft wasn’t enough. Americans, what are you up to? My imagination can’t even weave such a situation in my head.

However, medical coding has an ICD-10 Code V97.33XD to cover up for the injuries caused by the jet engine’s propeller. The funny part about this ICD-10 diagnosis code is that it stands for subsequent encounter, i.e., a follow-up visit. Like they didn’t recover from injuries – god knows how serious they were – the first time.

R46.1: Bizarre Personal Appearance

Fashion, bold statement, nature-inspired outfits, or what?

Lady Gaga’s meat suit surely meets the criteria for the international classification’s strangest ICD 10 code for bizarre personal appearance. Be it a spooky Halloween costume or a see-through gown, medical coders can use R46.1 in patients’ medical records.

Kim K, Cardi B, and many A-listers qualify for this funny ICD 10 code. The real question is who gets to decide it and based on what standards? Do insurance companies pay against such strange ICD 10 codes? If they do, why should they?

Y92.241: Library as The Place of Occurrence of the External Cause

Knowledge is power. Did it hit you hard?

Got hurt in a library? The tenth revision of ICD codes has you covered. But how come? Did you start a sword fight with the warlords in your head while reading history? In that case, you’ll be as safe as on your couch at home. Then how did you get injured in a library?

Maybe the power of knowledge got to you, and you did something nasty. Even the bookworms and nerds aren’t safe. Their knowledge couldn’t save them. Whatever the case, ICD-10-CM Code Y92.241 is here to serve you.

Z56.7: Conflict with Boss or Colleagues

Now we’re talking business. Can’t drag them to the court? Get yourself checked by a counselor.

Trust me, every corporate slave qualifies for it. Your workplace is affecting your health. Seriously, I’m not even joking. You need counseling, and the ones playing dirty harry (ideally) should be taught workplace ethics. And how not to damage a happy workplace.

Whatever it is, Z56.7 is an unusual and billable ICD 10 code for conflict with a boss or fellow employees.

Z62.891: Hit by A Sibling

Home-made Wrestle Mania.

Likeness for one sibling, jealousy between them, keen WWE fans, or even things like chocolate and ice cream can be the reasons for violence between siblings. Parents, watch out for physical altercations and even injuries. Or maybe sit back, relax, and enjoy amateur wrestlers fighting for small titles. Just kidding! Please do not try this at home.

If your children fight, for whatever reason, the World Health Organization advises a medical classification Z62.891.

Z63.1: Problems with In-Laws

Are South Asian mellow family dramas taking over and influencing Americans?

It isn’t a family drama anymore; it has become a medical condition specified using the ICD 10-CM code.

So, if you’re affected by the ruckus created by your in-laws and it is deteriorating your health, you’re not helpless. Medical coding in the United States has your back in the form of a funny ICD code Z63.1.

Y92.253: Injured at an Opera House

Did you do something nasty with the orchestra?

If you’re a musician playing in an opera house and messed up the chorus, then getting injured makes sense. The orchestra leader/conductor bangs a violin in your head. Funny? Not so? Weird? Yes.

However, if you’re in the audience, how can you get hurt? Glass partitions there are as clean as transparent or new. Maybe you hit one. Your ears couldn’t bear the sharp pitch of the lead female vocalist, or perhaps you tipped on a tailcoat. Whatever the case, Y92.253 in the tenth edition of the ICD will serve you.

V91.07XA – Burn Due to Water-Skis On Fire, Initial Encounter

Perfect recipe for a meme. Qualifies for the most weird and strange ICD-10 codes.

Water skis on fire? Cherry on top, causing burns? No, no way! Even my imagination isn’t taking me to where people suffering from these burns have been. I give up. But if you’ve been in a situation like this, the medical billing specialist will append V91.07XA.

W55.41XA Bitten by a Pig, Initial Encounter

Pigs, at first, might seem innocuous but can be really dangerous if you aren’t nice to them. Apart from biting, they can headbutt you. Make sure you’re friendly and polite to them, just as you’re with your bosses.

Otherwise, you might end up in a medical facility or hospital getting treated against a weird ICD-10 code. I just hope my boss doesn’t go through this.What if my boss hits me in the office? Is there any specific ICD-10 code for getting injured in the office? Like getting hurt in a library? There should be one. 

Y93.J1: Playing Piano

Here comes another one of those unbelievable medical conditions referred to by unusual codes.

Fancy yourself playing one of those melodious tunes? Trying to impress your valentine? Or maybe you’re a seasoned pianist/musician trying to play Let Her Go by Passenger in the ballroom, you’re vulnerable to neck and back pain.

Often known as “playing-related musculoskeletal disorder,” neck, back or even shoulder pain may arise out of nowhere and ruin your romantic tunes. Medical coders will document this condition with an unusual code number Y93.J1.

R15.2: Fecal Urgency

Well, I’d rather not say anything about this one!

Others can laugh about this, but those suffering from fecal urgency can never even imagine it. The thought of it sends chills down their spine.

Not poking fun at those suffering from R15.2, but as an unusual ICD-10 code, it earns its spot in our list of the top 15 most funny and weird ICD-10 Codes. 

Some Other Funny, Weird And Unusual ICD-10 Codes

Animals

W53: Contact with a rodent

W56.12: Struck by a sea lion

W56.22XS: Struck by orca, sequela

W56.52XA: Struck by other fish, initial encounter

W61.39: Other contact with chicken

Transportation

V00.01: Pedestrian on foot injured in collision with roller-skater

V00.151: Fall from heelies

Y93.01: Activity, walking, marching and hiking

V94.810: Civilian watercraft involved in water transport accident with military watercraft. 

Hobbies

Y93.D1: Activity, knitting and crocheting

V98.3: Accident to, on or involving ski lift

Y93.G3: Activity involving cooking and baking

Love

W45.8XXA: Other foreign body or object entering through skin, initial encounter

Z60.4: Social exclusion and rejection

R00.2: Palpitations

Seasonal

W17.3: Fall into empty swimming pool

W39: Discharge of firework

W16.722: Jumping or diving from boat striking bottom causing other injury

Final Words

After going through these funny and weird ICD-10-CM codes, you might be wondering how large and complex our medical coding world is. Moreover, the authorities like World Health Organization, American Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others involved in revising and updating codes annually must be commended thoroughly. 

They’ve coined some really in-depth codes based on the situations or conditions although funny, strange and weird but true in real life. Realistically speaking, even the most outrageous codes that may be weird make sense and have logic behind them. Lastly, it is crucial to remember that all codes mentioned above aren’t billable, i.e., W59.22, struck by a turtle. 

Which one is your favorite funny or weird ICD-10 Code? Do let us know!