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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesZ38

Z38

Liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery

BILLABLE STATUSNo
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 Z38 is a used to indicate a diagnosis of liveborn infants according to place of birth and type of delivery.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 Level 1 Category code Z38 pertains to liveborn infants categorized according to their place of birth and the type of delivery they experienced. This category is crucial for capturing vital statistics and health data related to newborns, as it helps in identifying the circumstances surrounding their birth. Conditions covered under this category include live births occurring in various settings such as hospitals, home births, or other locations, and it also differentiates between types of deliveries, including vaginal and cesarean sections. This information is essential for healthcare providers, public health officials, and researchers to analyze trends in maternal and infant health outcomes.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Low

Low Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Simplicity of coding
  • Limited number of codes
  • Clear guidelines for usage

Audit Risk Factors

  • Incorrect assignment of place of birth
  • Misclassification of delivery type
  • Insufficient documentation of birth details

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Obstetrics

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Pediatrics

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Related Codes

Child Codes

21 codes
Z38.0
Single liveborn infant, born in hospital
Z38.00
Single liveborn infant, delivered vaginally
Z38.01
Single liveborn infant, delivered by cesarean
Z38.1
Single liveborn infant, born outside hospital
Z38.2
Single liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth
Z38.3
Twin liveborn infant, born in hospital
Z38.30
Twin liveborn infant, delivered vaginally
Z38.31
Twin liveborn infant, delivered by cesarean
Z38.4
Twin liveborn infant, born outside hospital
Z38.5
Twin liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth
Z38.6
Other multiple liveborn infant, born in hospital
Z38.61
Triplet liveborn infant, delivered vaginally
Z38.62
Triplet liveborn infant, delivered by cesarean
Z38.63
Quadruplet liveborn infant, delivered vaginally
Z38.64
Quadruplet liveborn infant, delivered by cesarean
Z38.65
Quintuplet liveborn infant, delivered vaginally
Z38.66
Quintuplet liveborn infant, delivered by cesarean
Z38.68
Other multiple liveborn infant, delivered vaginally
Z38.69
Other multiple liveborn infant, delivered by cesarean
Z38.7
Other multiple liveborn infant, born outside hospital
Z38.8
Other multiple liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The Z38 code category has significant clinical and administrative implications, particularly in monitoring maternal and infant health outcomes. Accurate coding of liveborn infants helps in tracking birth trends, identifying potential health disparities, and shaping public health policies aimed at improving maternal and child health. Furthermore, the data collected through the use of Z38 codes can influence healthcare trends, such as the increasing focus on the quality of care provided during childbirth and the need for enhanced support for newborns based on their delivery circumstances.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The Z38 code category has significant clinical and administrative implications, particularly in monitoring maternal and infant health outcomes. Accurate coding of liveborn infants helps in tracking birth trends, identifying potential health disparities, and shaping public health policies aimed at improving maternal and child health. Furthermore, the data collected through the use of Z38 codes can influence healthcare trends, such as the increasing focus on the quality of care provided during childbirth and the need for enhanced support for newborns based on their delivery circumstances.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement. Providers should ensure that the place of birth and type of delivery are clearly documented in the medical record, as this information directly impacts the coding process. Additionally, it is important to be aware of payer-specific guidelines, as some insurers may have particular requirements for billing newborn services, including the use of Z38 codes in conjunction with appropriate CPT codes for newborn care.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    Official ICD-10 Guidelines for Z38

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    Official ICD-10 Guidelines for Z38

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions are included in Z38?

Z38 includes all liveborn infants categorized by their place of birth, such as in a hospital or at home, and the type of delivery, including vaginal births and cesarean sections.

When should I use Z38 codes?

Z38 codes should be used for all liveborn infants to accurately document their birth circumstances, particularly in the context of hospital admissions and newborn care.

What documentation is required for Z38?

Documentation should include the place of birth, type of delivery, and any relevant details regarding the infant's health status at birth to support the use of Z38 codes.