ICD-10 Status Z codes are used to indicate a patient’s status, such as a personal history of a condition or factors that influence health status. These codes are used as secondary diagnoses when they are not the primary reason for the encounter, but still have a significant impact on the patient’s care.
Some examples of when to use ICD-10 Status Z codes as secondary diagnoses include:
- Personal history of a medical condition: If a patient has a history of a medical condition, such as a previous heart attack or cancer, this information should be included as a secondary diagnosis to provide context for the current encounter.
- Risk factors: If a patient has a risk factor that could impact their health, such as obesity or tobacco use, this information should be included as a secondary diagnosis. This helps healthcare providers monitor and manage the patient’s risk factors to prevent future health problems.
- Follow-up visits: If a patient is returning for a follow-up visit after a previous medical intervention, such as surgery or chemotherapy, the status Z code can be used to indicate that the visit is related to the previous treatment.
Overall, ICD-10 Status Z codes should be used judiciously and only when they have a significant impact on the patient’s care.