Passenger injured in collision w oth mv in traf, subs

This code describes a patient who was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a traffic accident with another motor vehicle, and is being seen for follow-up care related to injuries sustained in that incident. This indicates that the initial treatment for the acute injury has already occurred, and the current visit is for ongoing management, healing, or complications.

Apply this code for subsequent encounters such as follow-up appointments, physical therapy, rehabilitation, or management of delayed complications directly resulting from the initial motor vehicle collision where the patient was a passenger. It is appropriate when the patient is no longer in the acute phase of injury.

• Ensure the patient's role was specifically a "passenger" and not a driver or pedestrian.
• Verify that the encounter is for follow-up care, not the initial treatment of the injury.
• Always code this external cause with the specific injury code(s) and a seventh character indicating the subsequent encounter.