Z20-Z29
Medium Complexity
Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases
Primary Specialty: Infectious Disease
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
ICD-10 Codes (62)
59 billable0 category headers
Z21Billable
Z22Z22.0Billable
Z22.1Billable
Z22.2Billable
Z22.3Billable
Z22.31Billable
Z22.32Billable
Z22.321Billable
Z22.322Billable
Z22.33Billable
Z22.330Billable
Z22.338Billable
Z22.34Billable
Z22.340Billable
Z22.341Billable
Z22.349Billable
Z22.35Billable
Z22.350Billable
Z22.358Billable
Z22.359Billable
Z22.39Billable
Z22.4Billable
Z22.6Billable
Z22.7Billable
Z22.8Billable
Z22.9Billable
Z23Billable
Z28Z28.0Billable
Z28.01Billable
Z28.02Billable
Z28.03Billable
Z28.04Billable
Z28.09Billable
Z28.1Billable
Z28.2Billable
Z28.20Billable
Z28.21Billable
Z28.29Billable
Z28.3Billable
Z28.31Billable
Z28.310Billable
Z28.311Billable
Z28.39Billable
Z28.8Billable
Z28.81Billable
Z28.82Billable
Z28.83Billable
Z28.89Billable
Z28.9Billable
Z29Z29.1Billable
Z29.11Billable
Z29.12Billable
Z29.13Billable
Z29.14Billable
Z29.3Billable
Z29.8Billable
Z29.81Billable
Z29.89Billable
Z29.9Billable
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Current Year
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
No significant changes for FY 2026
This range maintains stability with current coding practices
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for Z20-Z29 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
high priority
The ICD-10 code range Z20-Z29, 'Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases,' includes codes used to document patients who have been exposed to or are carriers of infectious diseases. These codes are not used to indicate the current disease state, but rather the potential risk due to exposure or carrier status. They cover a wide range of communicable diseases, including viral, bacterial, parasitic, and other infectious diseases.
Key Usage Points:
- •Z20-Z29 codes are used for patients with potential health hazards due to exposure or carrier status, not for active disease states.
- •These codes cover a wide range of communicable diseases, including viral, bacterial, parasitic, and other infectious diseases.
- •The codes can be used in any healthcare setting, from primary care to infectious disease specialty clinics.
- •The codes are particularly relevant in public health and epidemiology contexts, where tracking exposure and carrier status is crucial.
- •Z20-Z29 codes should be used in conjunction with other codes to provide a complete picture of the patient's health status.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient has been exposed to a communicable disease, even if they are not currently symptomatic.
- ✓When a patient is a known carrier of a communicable disease, regardless of symptom status.
- ✓In public health contexts, for tracking and reporting purposes.
- ✓In epidemiological studies, to document exposure or carrier status.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient is currently symptomatic or has been diagnosed with the disease - use the appropriate disease-specific code instead.
- ✗When a patient's exposure or carrier status is not relevant to their current health status or care.
- ✗When the communicable disease is non-infectious or non-communicable.
- ✗When the patient's exposure or carrier status is speculative or unconfirmed.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions with the most recent ICD-10 coding guidelines and updates.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for Z20-Z29 codes should clearly indicate the patient's exposure or carrier status, the specific communicable disease involved, and any relevant details about the exposure or carrier status. It should not include speculation or unconfirmed information.
Clinical Information:
- •Confirmation of exposure or carrier status
- •Specific communicable disease involved
- •Details about the exposure or carrier status
- •Relevance of the exposure or carrier status to the patient's current health status or care
Supporting Evidence:
- •Medical history
- •Laboratory test results
- •Epidemiological data
- •Public health reports
Good Documentation Example:
Patient is a known carrier of Hepatitis B, confirmed by positive HBsAg test. No current symptoms.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient may have been exposed to tuberculosis.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Documenting speculative or unconfirmed exposure or carrier status
- âš Failing to specify the communicable disease involved
- âš Using Z20-Z29 codes for active disease states or non-communicable diseases
Range Statistics
6
Total Codes
59
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:21
Coding Complexity
Medium
Complexity Rating
Coding with Z20-Z29 codes requires a solid understanding of communicable diseases, the distinction between exposure/carrier status and active disease state, and the relevance of this information to the patient's care. It also requires staying current with public health and epidemiological data.
Key Factors:
- â–¸Understanding the distinction between exposure/carrier status and active disease state
- â–¸Knowing the specific communicable disease involved
- â–¸Determining the relevance of the exposure or carrier status to the patient's current health status or care
- â–¸Staying up-to-date with public health and epidemiological data
Specialty Focus
Z20-Z29 codes are particularly relevant in infectious disease specialties, public health, and epidemiology. They are also used in primary care and other specialties when patients have known exposures or carrier statuses.
Primary Specialties:
Infectious Disease
40%
Public Health
30%
Primary Care
30%
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient in an infectious disease clinic who is a known carrier of HIV.
- • A patient in a primary care clinic who was recently exposed to tuberculosis.
- • A public health report on a measles outbreak, including patients who have been exposed but are not yet symptomatic.
- • An epidemiological study on Hepatitis C, including patients who are known carriers.
Resources & References
Resources for coding with Z20-Z29 codes include the ICD-10 coding guidelines, infectious disease and public health resources, and epidemiological data.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10 coding guidelines
- CDC resources on communicable diseases
- WHO resources on communicable diseases
- Public health department resources
Clinical References:
- Infectious disease textbooks and journals
- Epidemiological studies
Educational Materials:
- ICD-10 coding training materials
- Infectious disease and public health training materials
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Z20-Z29 codes be used for active disease states?
No, Z20-Z29 codes are used to document exposure or carrier status, not active disease states. Use the appropriate disease-specific code for active disease states.