ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group BW0C includes procedures performed to capture planar radiographic images of anatomical regions in the lower extremity. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when plain radiography of the lower extremity is performed for diagnostic evaluation or treatment planning. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS BW0C group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the imaging procedure performed and supports clinical documentation accuracy.

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Lower Extremity Plain Radiography Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes plain radiography imaging performed on the lower extremity using external ionizing radiation captured on photographic or photoconductive plates. The procedures target anatomical regions of the lower extremity and are part of the Imaging section of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System. Accurate coding of these imaging procedures ensures the inpatient record reflects the diagnostic imaging performed and supports appropriate inpatient reimbursement and case documentation.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
0	Operation	Plain Radiography
C	Body Part	Lower Extremity

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ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

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Lower Extremity Plain Radiography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
B	Section	Imaging
W	Body System	Anatomical Regions
0	Operation	Plain Radiography
C	Body Part	Lower Extremity

When to Use

Use a code from this group when diagnostic or treatment-planning plain radiography of a lower extremity anatomical region is performed during an inpatient stay. Codes in this group apply when planar radiographic images are captured using external ionizing radiation for evaluation of bones, joints, or soft tissues of the lower extremity.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BW0CZZZ	Plain Radiography of Lower Extremity

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult patient is admitted through the emergency department after a fall onto the affected leg with immediate pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight. The inpatient team requests planar radiographic imaging of the lower extremity to evaluate for acute fracture, dislocation, or bony injury as part of initial diagnostic workup and surgical planning if needed. Typical codes: BW0CZZZ
A hospitalized elderly patient with progressive knee pain and worsening functional limitation is scheduled for preoperative imaging as part of inpatient evaluation prior to joint replacement. Planar radiography of the lower extremity is performed to assess joint spaces, deformity, and bony anatomy to guide operative planning and baseline documentation. Typical codes: BW0CZZZ
A patient admitted for postoperative care after open reduction and internal fixation of a tibial fracture requires follow-up imaging to evaluate hardware position and fracture alignment due to new onset localized pain and concern for malalignment. A plain radiographic study of the lower extremity is obtained to assess bone healing and implant placement as part of inpatient complication assessment. Typical codes: BW0CZZZ

Related Codes

BW00-ABDOMEN-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdomen: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW01-ABDOMEN-AND-PELVIS-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdomen And Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW03-CHEST-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0B-LONG-BONES-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Long Bones: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0J-UPPER-EXTREMITY-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0K-WHOLE-BODY-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Whole Body: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0L-WHOLE-SKELETON-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Whole Skeleton: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0M-INFANT-WHOLE-BODY-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Infant Whole Body: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

1 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
BW0CZZZ	Plain Radiography of Lower Extremity

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult patient is admitted through the emergency department after a fall onto the affected leg with immediate pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight. The inpatient team requests planar radiographic imaging of the lower extremity to evaluate for acute fracture, dislocation, or bony injury as part of initial diagnostic workup and surgical planning if needed. Typical codes: BW0CZZZ
A hospitalized elderly patient with progressive knee pain and worsening functional limitation is scheduled for preoperative imaging as part of inpatient evaluation prior to joint replacement. Planar radiography of the lower extremity is performed to assess joint spaces, deformity, and bony anatomy to guide operative planning and baseline documentation. Typical codes: BW0CZZZ
A patient admitted for postoperative care after open reduction and internal fixation of a tibial fracture requires follow-up imaging to evaluate hardware position and fracture alignment due to new onset localized pain and concern for malalignment. A plain radiographic study of the lower extremity is obtained to assess bone healing and implant placement as part of inpatient complication assessment. Typical codes: BW0CZZZ

Related Codes

BW00-ABDOMEN-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdomen: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW01-ABDOMEN-AND-PELVIS-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Abdomen And Pelvis: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW03-CHEST-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Chest: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0B-LONG-BONES-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Long Bones: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0J-UPPER-EXTREMITY-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Upper Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0K-WHOLE-BODY-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Whole Body: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0L-WHOLE-SKELETON-PLAIN-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Whole Skeleton: Procedure Code Group Overview

BW0M-INFANT-WHOLE-BODY-RADIOGRAPHY

ICD-10-PCS Code For Infant Whole Body: Procedure Code Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Lower Extremity Plain Radiography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Lower Extremity: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Lower Extremity Plain Radiography Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedure does the ICD-10-PCS code group BW0C represent?

When should `BW0CZZZ` be documented in the inpatient record?

Which ICD-10-PCS section and operation apply to BW0C codes?

How does coding within the BW0C group affect reimbursement and case documentation?

Are there related DRGs listed for the BW0C procedure group?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

What procedure does the ICD-10-PCS code group BW0C represent?

When should `BW0CZZZ` be documented in the inpatient record?

Which ICD-10-PCS section and operation apply to BW0C codes?

How does coding within the BW0C group affect reimbursement and case documentation?

Are there related DRGs listed for the BW0C procedure group?

References