Like most physicians, I am not terribly excited about the transition to ICD-10.  The increased detail with coding will take longer and be a hassle. However, there is apparently some humor to be derived from the institution of ICD-10.

From HealthcareDive.com: “There are 68,000 billing codes under the new ICD-10 system, as opposed to a paltry 13,000 under the current ICD-9. …Despite the controversy surrounding ICD-10, there is one universally agreed-upon upside to the hyper-specific coding system: Weird and obscure codes that stand for bizarre medical injuries. There’s even an illustrated book, Struck by an Orca: ICD-10 Illustrated.”

Some of the absurd ICD-10 codes from HealthcareDive.com:

• V97.33XD: Sucked into jet engine, subsequent encounter
• Y92.146: Swimming-pool of prison as the place of occurrence of the external cause
• W55.41XA: Bitten by pig, initial encounter​
• W61.62XD: Struck by duck, subsequent encounter
• Z63.1: Problems in relationship with in-laws
• W220.2XD: Walked into lamppost, subsequent encounter
• Y93.D: V91.07XD: Burn due to water-skis on fire, subsequent encounter​
• W55.29XA: Other contact with cow, subsequent encounter
• W22.02XD: V95.43XS: Spacecraft collision injuring occupant, sequela
• W61.12XA: Struck by macaw, initial encounter
• R46.1: Bizarre personal appearance

Multiple authorities have weighed in on the issue of which ICD-10 codes are most zany. Here are a few links:

University of South Florida their list includes

• Knitting and Crocheting (Y93.D1)
• Pecked by chicken, initial encounter (W61.33XA)

Multibriefs Exclusive their list includes

• T71.231D Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a discarded refrigerator, accidental
• V80.730A Animal-rider injured in collision with trolley
• Z62.1 Parental overprotection
• T63 Unspecified event, undetermined intent

NY Times: Roughed up by an Orca? There’s a code for that (from 12/29/13) “There are codes for injuries incurred in opera houses and while knitting, and one for sibling rivalry.” This article has some nice graphics, including one of a water skier with the skis on fire.