ICD-10 Guide

Z02.3

Encounter for examination for recruitment to armed forces

BILLABLE STATUSYes

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/12/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 Z02.3 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of encounter for examination for recruitment to armed forces.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Z02.3 is used to document encounters for examinations required for recruitment into the armed forces. This examination typically assesses the physical and mental fitness of candidates to ensure they meet the necessary health standards for military service. Factors influencing health status during this encounter may include the candidate's medical history, lifestyle choices, and social determinants such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and education. Preventive care is emphasized, as these examinations often include screenings for various health conditions, vaccinations, and assessments of overall health to identify any potential issues that could affect military readiness. Understanding the social determinants of health is crucial, as they can impact a candidate's ability to meet recruitment standards and their overall health outcomes. Proper documentation of these encounters is essential for accurate coding and reimbursement, as well as for tracking public health trends related to military recruitment.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

Need for comprehensive documentation of medical history and physical examination findings.
Potential for varying requirements based on military branch and recruitment standards.
Involvement of multiple healthcare providers in the examination process.
Variability in candidate health status and social determinants affecting eligibility.

Audit Risk Factors

Inadequate documentation of the examination findings.
Failure to capture relevant social determinants affecting health status.
Incorrect sequencing of Z codes with primary diagnoses.
Lack of clarity on the purpose of the encounter in documentation.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Primary Care

Documentation Requirements

Complete medical history, physical examination results, and any relevant screenings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Routine checkups for military candidates, including assessments for fitness and health screenings.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of social determinants such as access to healthcare and lifestyle factors.

Public Health

Documentation Requirements

Data collection on population health trends related to military recruitment and health status.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Epidemiological studies assessing the health of potential recruits.

Billing Considerations

Tracking health outcomes and disparities among different demographic groups.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use Z02.3 When

Z codes are used when a patient encounters a healthcare provider for reasons other than a specific illness or injury
3 should be sequenced appropriately, often as a secondary code when a primary diagnosis is present
Payer requirements may vary, so it's essential to verify specific guidelines with each insurance provider

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use Z02.3 When

No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

99385CPT Code

Preventive medicine evaluation and management, new patient, age 18-39

Clinical Scenario

Used in conjunction with Z02.3 for preventive examinations.

Documentation Requirements

Complete history and physical examination documentation.

Specialty Considerations

Primary care providers should ensure thorough documentation to support the preventive nature of the visit.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding encounters like Z02.3, improving the ability to capture the nuances of military recruitment examinations and their associated health factors.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Resources

Clinical References

•
CDC Preventive Services Guidelines

Coding & Billing References

•
CDC Preventive Services Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for Z02.3?

Documentation must include a detailed account of the examination findings, any screenings performed, and an assessment of the candidate's health status, including social determinants that may affect their eligibility for military service.

ICD-10 Z02.3 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of encounter for examination for recruitment to armed forces.