ICD-10 Guide

Former Smoker

ICD-10 Coding for Former Smoker(Z87.891, Z72.0)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYFamily Medicine

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Former Smoker?

Essential facts and insights about Former Smoker

Key Clinical Considerations:

History of tobacco use with cessation for at least 12 months
No current signs of tobacco-related diseases
Assessment of respiratory function may show improvement

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Document the date of cessation and duration of smoking history
Use terminology such as 'former smoker' or 'ex-smoker'
Examples include: 'Patient quit smoking 2 years ago after a 20-year history.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Usage guidelines: Use Z87.891 for patients with a history of smoking who have quit.
Common errors: Misclassifying as current smoker or failing to document cessation.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Current tobacco use disorders
ICD codes for active smoking-related diseases

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Family Medicine

Specialty Applications

Adult patients with a history of smoking
Family medicine, primary care settings

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Document the cessation date and smoking history.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect former smoking status for appropriate reimbursement.

Former Smoker

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Former Smoker

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?