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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesZ28.21

Z28.21

Immunization not carried out because of patient refusal

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/12/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 Z28.21 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of immunization not carried out because of patient refusal.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Z28.21 is used when a patient refuses an immunization that is recommended for their health. This refusal can stem from various factors, including personal beliefs, misinformation about vaccines, cultural influences, or previous negative experiences with vaccinations. Understanding the social determinants of health is crucial, as factors such as socioeconomic status, education level, and access to healthcare can significantly influence a patient's decision to refuse immunization. Preventive care is essential in reducing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, and healthcare providers must engage in effective communication to address concerns and encourage vaccination. Documentation should reflect the patient's refusal, the reasons provided, and any educational efforts made by the provider to inform the patient about the benefits and risks of immunization.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Patient's understanding of vaccine benefits and risks
  • Cultural beliefs influencing health decisions
  • Previous negative experiences with vaccinations
  • Socioeconomic factors affecting access to healthcare

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the patient's refusal
  • Failure to note educational efforts made by the provider
  • Misclassification of refusal as a contraindication
  • Lack of follow-up documentation on the patient's health status

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Primary Care

Documentation Requirements

Document the patient's refusal, reasons for refusal, and any educational discussions held.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Routine checkups where immunizations are recommended but refused.

Billing Considerations

Consider the impact of social determinants such as education and access to information.

Public Health

Documentation Requirements

Collect data on vaccination rates and reasons for refusal at the population level.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Community health initiatives aimed at increasing vaccination uptake.

Billing Considerations

Focus on tracking health trends and addressing barriers to vaccination.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use Z28.21 When
  • Z codes are used to indicate reasons for encounters that are not primarily disease
  • related
  • 21 should be sequenced after any primary diagnosis and should be used when a patient explicitly refuses a recommended immunization
  • Payer requirements may vary, so it's essential to verify specific coding guidelines with each insurer

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use Z28.21 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

90460CPT Code

Immunization administration

Clinical Scenario

Used when immunizations are administered, but may be relevant in discussions of refusal.

Documentation Requirements

Document the immunization offered and the patient's refusal.

Specialty Considerations

Primary care providers should ensure thorough documentation of the refusal.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of reasons for immunization refusal, enhancing data collection and analysis regarding vaccination trends and patient attitudes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of reasons for immunization refusal, enhancing data collection and analysis regarding vaccination trends and patient attitudes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of reasons for immunization refusal, enhancing data collection and analysis regarding vaccination trends and patient attitudes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    CDC Immunization Guidelines

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    CDC Immunization Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I document if a patient refuses an immunization?

Document the patient's refusal clearly, including the reasons provided and any educational discussions held to inform the patient about the vaccine's benefits and risks.