1. Home
  2. ICD-10-CM Codes
  3. Z00–Z99
  4. Z40-Z53
  5. Z48
  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code Z48.81
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z48.81

Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on specified body systems

ICD-10-CM Code:
Z48.81
ICD-10 Code for:
Encntr for surgical aftcr fol surgery on spcf body systems
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
    (Z00–Z99)
    • Encounters for other specific health care
      (Z40-Z53)
      • Encounter for other postprocedural aftercare
        (Z48)

Z48.81 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on specified body systems. 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 Encntr for surgical aftcr fol surgery on spcf body systems

Non-specific codes like Z48.81 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 encntr for surgical aftcr fol surgery on spcf body systems:

  • Use Z48.810 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the sense organs - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z48.811 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the nervous system - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z48.812 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the circulatory system - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z48.813 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the respiratory system - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z48.814 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the teeth or oral cavity - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z48.815 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the digestive system - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z48.816 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the genitourinary system - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z48.817 for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the skin and subcutaneous tissue - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • These codes identify the body system requiring aftercare. They are for use in conjunction with other aftercare codes to fully explain the aftercare encounter. The condition treated should also be coded if still present.

Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • aftercare for injury- code the injury with 7th character D
  • aftercare following surgery for neoplasm Z48.3

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • aftercare following organ transplant Z48.2
  • orthopedic aftercare Z47

Patient Education


After Surgery

After any operation, you'll have some side effects. There is usually some pain with surgery. There may also be swelling and soreness around the area that the surgeon cut. Your surgeon can tell you which side effects to expect.

There can also be complications. These are unplanned events linked to the operation. Some complications are infection, too much bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, or accidental injury. Some people have a greater risk of complications because of other medical conditions.

Your surgeon can tell you how you might feel and what you will be able to do - or not do - the first few days, weeks, or months after surgery. Some other questions to ask are:

  • How long you will be in the hospital
  • What kind of supplies, equipment, and help you might need when you go home
  • When you can go back to work
  • When it is ok to start exercising again
  • Are they any other restrictions in your activities

Following your surgeon's advice can help you recover as soon as possible.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


[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 - No Change, 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.