ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code X38: Flood

X38 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Flood in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents flood in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
20External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)
block
V00-X58Accidents
block
W00-X58Other external causes of accidental injury
block
X30-X39Exposure to forces of nature
currentX30-X39

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Flood arising from remote storm
  • Flood of cataclysmic nature arising from melting snow
  • Flood resulting directly from storm
Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • collapse of dam or man-made structure causing earth movement (X36.0)
  • tidal wave NOS (X37.41)
  • tidal wave caused by storm (X37.42)
7th character notes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code X38
  • initial encounter
  • subsequent encounter
  • sequela

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
X38

Common synonyms

Flood

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeX38
SystemICD10
Display nameFlood
ChapterExternal causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)
BlockExposure to forces of nature

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.

ICD-10 Code X38 for Flood | HealthAssure