Assault by handgun discharge, subsequent encounter

This code indicates that a patient is being treated for injuries sustained from a handgun discharge where the patient was the victim of an assault, and this is not the initial encounter for these injuries. It signifies follow-up care, such as wound checks, rehabilitation, or management of complications, related to the original assault.

Use this code when documenting care for a patient who has previously been treated for injuries resulting from an assault by a handgun discharge. This applies to subsequent visits for ongoing treatment, monitoring, or addressing long-term effects of the initial traumatic event. It should not be used for the initial presentation of the injury.

• Always pair this code with an external cause code (V00-Y99) to fully describe the circumstances of the injury.
• Ensure the seventh character "D" (subsequent encounter) is correctly applied, indicating follow-up care.
• Verify that the patient's medical record clearly documents the assaultive nature of the handgun discharge.