What is the ICD‑10‑CM code for sexual assault?

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ICD-10-CM Code for Sexual Assault

The ICD-10-CM codes for sexual assault are T74.21 (adult confirmed sexual abuse) and T74.22 (child confirmed sexual abuse) for confirmed cases, or T76.21 (adult suspected sexual abuse) and T76.22 (child suspected sexual abuse) for suspected cases 1.

Code Selection Algorithm

When documenting sexual assault in the medical record, choose the appropriate code based on:

  • Patient age: Use T74.22/T76.22 for children; T74.21/T76.21 for adults
  • Confirmation status: Use T74.xx codes when sexual assault is confirmed; use T76.xx codes when suspected but not yet confirmed

Key Clinical Context

The introduction of these specific ICD-10-CM codes in October 2015 represented a major improvement over the previous ICD-9-CM system. The new codes allow for clear differentiation between confirmed and suspected cases, which was not possible under ICD-9-CM 1. This change led to a dramatic increase in documented sexual assault episodes—over 700% increase between 2013 and 2017—suggesting that sexual assault had been severely under-reported in healthcare settings for decades 1.

Important Documentation Considerations

  • More than half (58.2%) of sexual assault episodes documented immediately after the code change in October 2015 were coded as "suspected" (T76.xx codes), highlighting the clinical utility of having separate codes for suspected versus confirmed cases 1
  • These codes should be used regardless of whether physical injury is present, as sexual assault can occur without visible trauma
  • The codes apply to both acute presentations and delayed disclosures

Common Pitfall

Do not confuse these sexual assault codes with the broader Z63 (problems related to primary support group) or Z60 (problems related to social environment) codes, which lack the specificity needed for sexual assault documentation 2.

References

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.