Helicopter crash injuring occupant, sequela

This code signifies a long-term health condition or complication arising from injuries sustained by an occupant in a helicopter crash. It indicates that the patient is presenting for treatment of a residual effect directly attributable to the original incident, which occurred in the past.

Apply this code when a patient seeks care for a chronic injury, disability, or other sequela directly resulting from a helicopter crash where they were an occupant. This is appropriate for follow-up visits addressing the lasting impact of the original trauma, not the initial acute injury.

• Always use in conjunction with a code identifying the specific sequela (e.g., fracture nonunion, chronic pain, scar contracture).
• The "S" seventh character indicates sequela, meaning the initial injury has healed, but its lasting effects are being treated.
• Do not use for the initial treatment of acute injuries from the crash; use the acute injury code with the appropriate seventh character for that scenario.