Question 1

What is ICD-10 code V97?

Accepted Answer

V97 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Other specified air transport accidents. It belongs to the ICD-10-CM chapter for external causes of morbidity (v00-y99). V97 is a non-billable header code that organizes more specific child codes; the actual diagnosis on a claim must use one of those children. V97 is part of the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set published by the CMS National Center for Health Statistics and used on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial claims in the United States.

Question 2

Is V97 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

V97 is a non-billable header code, so it cannot itself be a payment HCC. Header codes organize more specific child codes that share the same root concept; one of those children may map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 risk adjustment model. Coders should select a child code from the V97 hierarchy that matches the documented presentation, then check that specific child for HCC status.

Question 3

Is V97 billable?

Accepted Answer

No. V97 is a header (non-billable) ICD-10-CM code. Header codes sit at a higher level of the diagnosis hierarchy and exist to organize a family of more specific child codes. Per ICD-10-CM coding guidelines, a header code cannot be reported on a claim as the diagnosis, coders must select a billable child code from the V97 hierarchy that matches the highest level of specificity supported by the provider's documentation. Payers reject header codes submitted as the primary diagnosis.

HCC Buddy Code Card

V97

What This Code Means

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Open V97 in the Interactive Encoder

V97 ICD-10-CM Code: Other specified air transport accidents

HCC Buddy Code Card

V97

What This Code Means

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Open V97 in the Interactive Encoder