Bit by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)

By Jen Christensen, CNN

Updated 2:00 PM ET, Thu October 1, 2015

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It's been called the biggest change to hit the American medical system in decades. Starting October 1, medical offices have to learn thousands of new codes to assign to each injury and illness they diagnose. The more detailed codes include some unusual injuries. Click through to see some of the funny ones we found.
Photos: Bitten by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)
It's been called the biggest change to hit the American medical system in decades. Starting October 1, medical offices have to learn thousands of new codes to assign to each injury and illness they diagnose. The more detailed codes include some unusual injuries. Click through to see some of the funny ones we found.
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W56.19XA Bitten by sea lion, initial encounter
Photos: Bitten by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)
W56.19XA Bitten by sea lion, initial encounter
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Y92.241 Library as the place of occurrence of the external cause<br />
Photos: Bitten by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)
Y92.241 Library as the place of occurrence of the external cause
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W55.09XA Other contact with cat, initial encounter
Photos: Bitten by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)
W55.09XA Other contact with cat, initial encounter
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V91.07XD Burn due to water skis on fire, subsequent encounter<br />
Photos: Bitten by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)
V91.07XD Burn due to water skis on fire, subsequent encounter
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W61.12XA Struck by macaw, initial encounter
Photos: Bitten by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)
W61.12XA Struck by macaw, initial encounter
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T75.01XD Unspecified effects of lightning, subsequent encounter<br />
Photos: Bitten by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)
T75.01XD Unspecified effects of lightning, subsequent encounter
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W56.21XA Bitten by orca, initial encounter<br />W56.21XD Bitten by orca, subsequent encounter<br />
Photos: Bitten by a squirrel? There's now a code for that (W53.21XA)
W56.21XA Bitten by orca, initial encounter
W56.21XD Bitten by orca, subsequent encounter
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