ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesZ60

Z60

Problems related to social environment

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

Code Description

ICD-10 Z60 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of problems related to social environment.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Z60 codes are utilized to capture issues arising from an individual's social environment that may influence their health status and interactions with healthcare services. These problems can include factors such as inadequate social support, living alone, or experiencing social isolation, which can lead to increased health risks and barriers to accessing care. Preventive care and screening efforts often need to address these social determinants to improve health outcomes. For instance, a patient living in a socially isolated environment may require targeted interventions to enhance their social support network, thereby improving their overall health and adherence to medical advice. Understanding these social factors is crucial for healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care and for coders to accurately document the impact of these determinants on patient health.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of social determinants that can be documented
  • Need for comprehensive patient history to identify relevant factors
  • Potential overlap with other Z codes related to social issues
  • Variability in documentation practices across specialties

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of social factors impacting health
  • Failure to link Z60 to primary diagnoses appropriately
  • Overuse of Z60 without clear clinical justification
  • Inconsistent coding practices across different providers

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Primary Care

Documentation Requirements

Document social history, including support systems and living conditions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Routine checkups where social factors are assessed, screenings for mental health issues influenced by social isolation.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of how social determinants affect adherence to treatment plans.

Public Health

Documentation Requirements

Population health data collection, including social determinants affecting community health.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Epidemiological studies assessing the impact of social environments on health outcomes.

Billing Considerations

Focus on tracking health disparities related to social factors.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use Z60 When
  • Z codes should be used when a patient's social environment is a significant factor in their health status or care needs
  • They can be sequenced as secondary diagnoses to provide context for the primary diagnosis
  • Payer requirements may vary, so it's essential to check specific guidelines for coverage

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use Z60 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related Codes

Child Codes

7 codes
Z60.0
Problems of adjustment to life-cycle transitions
Z60.2
Problems related to living alone
Z60.3
Acculturation difficulty
Z60.4
Social exclusion and rejection
Z60.5
Target of (perceived) adverse discrimination and persecution
Z60.8
Other problems related to social environment
Z60.9
Problem related to social environment, unspecified

Related CPT Codes

99401CPT Code

Preventive medicine counseling

Clinical Scenario

Used during visits where social determinants are assessed and addressed.

Documentation Requirements

Document the counseling provided and its relevance to the patient's social environment.

Specialty Considerations

Primary care providers should focus on integrating social assessments into preventive care.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding social determinants, enabling better tracking of how social factors influence health outcomes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding social determinants, enabling better tracking of how social factors influence health outcomes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

impacting the patient's health, including any interventions or referrals made to address these issues.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    Social Determinants of Health: A Guide for Health Care Providers

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    Social Determinants of Health: A Guide for Health Care Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

When should Z60 be used in coding?

Z60 should be used when social factors are significantly impacting a patient's health status or care needs, particularly in preventive and aftercare contexts.