2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z59.0

Homelessness

ICD-10-CM Code:
Z59.0
ICD-10 Code for:
Homelessness
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
    (Z00–Z99)
    • Persons with potential health hazards related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances
      (Z55-Z65)
      • Problems related to housing and economic circumstances
        (Z59)

Z59.0 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of homelessness. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Homelessness

Non-specific codes like Z59.0 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for homelessness:

  • Use Z59.00 for Homelessness unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z59.01 for Sheltered homelessness - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z59.02 for Unsheltered homelessness - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Classification

Convert Z59.0 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: V60.0 - Lack of housing
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education


Homelessness and Health

What are the causes of homelessness?

Each night, hundreds of thousands of people experience homelessness in the United States. Some of these people experience chronic homelessness, while others have temporarily lost their shelter. The reasons why they are homelessness are complex. They can include a combination of factors such as:

  • Poverty
  • Unemployment
  • Lack of affordable housing
  • Mental and substance use disorders
  • Trauma and violence
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Justice-system involvement
  • Sudden serious illness
  • Divorce
  • Death of a partner or parent
  • Disabilities

What is the link between homelessness and health?

Poor health can contribute to homelessness. And being homeless can contribute to poor health. Many of the problems that people experiencing homelessness face can make their health worse, including:

  • Limited access to health care
  • Problems getting enough food
  • Trouble staying safe
  • Violence
  • Stress
  • Unsanitary living conditions
  • Exposure to severe weather

What are some of the common health problems that people experiencing homelessness have?

Some of the common health problems that people experiencing homelessness may have include:

  • HIV
  • Lung diseases, including bronchitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia
  • Malnutrition
  • Mental health problems
  • Substance use problems
  • Wounds and skin infections

Many people experiencing homelessness are dealing with trauma. They may have been abused or assaulted. This includes children, who are at risk for emotional and behavioral problems.

Contact your local homelessness assistance agency to get the help you need, such as access to shelters, health centers, and free meals.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - Code Added, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.