The appropriate code or codes from A00.0 through T88.9, Z00-Z99.8, and U00-U85 must be used to identify diagnoses, symptoms, conditions, problems, complaints or other reason(s) for the encounter/visit.
Z77.11
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to environmental pollution
Not billable — category only FY2026 2025-10-01 → 2026-09-30
Exclusions 7 never code together
Z77code
Excludes2
- contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases (Z20.-)Z20.-
- exposure to (parental) (environmental) tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)P96.81
- newborn affected by noxious substances transmitted via placenta or breast milk (P04.-)P04.-
- occupational exposure to risk factors (Z57.-)Z57.-
- retained foreign body (Z18.-)Z18.-
- retained foreign body fully removed (Z87.821)Z87.821
- toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source (T51-T65)T51-T65
Excludes2 — not included here, but the patient may have both. Code both when documented.
Instructional notes 5
Z77code
Includes
- contact with and (suspected) exposures to potential hazards to health
Z00-Z99chapter
Notes
- Z codes represent reasons for encounters. A corresponding procedure code must accompany a Z code if a procedure is performed. Categories Z00-Z99 are provided for occasions when circumstances other than a disease, injury or external cause classifiable to categories A00-Y89 are recorded as 'diagnoses' or 'problems'. This can arise in two main ways:Z00-Z99A00-Y89
- (a) When a person who may or may not be sick encounters the health services for some specific purpose, such as to receive limited care or service for a current condition, to donate an organ or tissue, to receive prophylactic vaccination (immunization), or to discuss a problem which is in itself not a disease or injury.
- (b) When some circumstance or problem is present which influences the person's health status but is not in itself a current illness or injury.
Official Guidelines 1 names this code
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, quoted in full. Published by CMS and NCHS; in the public domain.
Index entries leading here 1 filed at Z77
The index files this at Z77. The tabular
extends it — laterality, staging, or the 7th character — so these entries
lead to the family rather than to Z77.11 exactly.
- Environmental pollution related condition Z77
Alongside this code 1 same parent — Z77.1
Subordinate codes 4
Additional references
AHA Coding Clinic® Licence required
Official coding advice for this code. Published by the American Hospital Association. Not included in this installation.