2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z02.83

Encounter for blood-alcohol and blood-drug test

ICD-10-CM Code:
Z02.83
ICD-10 Code for:
Encounter for blood-alcohol and blood-drug test
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
    (Z00–Z99)
    • Persons encountering health services for examinations
      (Z00-Z13)
      • Encounter for administrative examination
        (Z02)

Z02.83 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of encounter for blood-alcohol and blood-drug test. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024. The code is exempt from present on admission (POA) reporting for inpatient admissions to general acute care hospitals.

Clinical Classification

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.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
  • code for findings of alcohol or drugs in blood R78

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Present on Admission (POA)

Z02.83 is exempt from POA reporting - The Present on Admission (POA) indicator is used for diagnosis codes included in claims involving inpatient admissions to general acute care hospitals. POA indicators must be reported to CMS on each claim to facilitate the grouping of diagnoses codes into the proper Diagnostic Related Groups (DRG). CMS publishes a listing of specific diagnosis codes that are exempt from the POA reporting requirement. Review other POA exempt codes here.

CMS POA Indicator Options and Definitions

POA IndicatorReason for CodeCMS will pay the CC/MCC DRG?
YDiagnosis was present at time of inpatient admission.YES
NDiagnosis was not present at time of inpatient admission.NO
UDocumentation insufficient to determine if the condition was present at the time of inpatient admission.NO
WClinically undetermined - unable to clinically determine whether the condition was present at the time of inpatient admission.YES
1Unreported/Not used - Exempt from POA reporting. NO

Convert Z02.83 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: V70.4 - Exam-medicolegal reasons
    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


Blood Alcohol Level

What is a blood alcohol test?

A blood alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol in a sample of your blood. You will have alcohol in your blood if you've been drinking alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol is also called ethanol. It's the main ingredient of alcoholic drinks, such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits (liquor). When you have an alcoholic drink, the alcohol is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream. Your liver breaks down the alcohol so your body can get rid of it.

If you drink faster than your liver can break down alcohol, the alcohol level in your blood will increase and you may start to feel intoxicated (drunk). Alcohol intoxication affects how your brain works. At first, you may feel more relaxed, or talkative than usual. As alcohol levels increase, you may have some problems thinking clearly. You make have difficulty with your balance, slurred speech, slowed reaction time, and loss of judgement.

Continuing to drink after you are intoxicated can lead to an alcohol overdose. Symptoms include vomiting, trouble breathing, and passing out. An alcohol overdose can lead to coma or death.

There are a few blood tests that can measure whether a person has been drinking. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test is commonly used to see if a person has been drinking recently. It is also called a blood alcohol content test. This test can find alcohol in your blood for up to 12 hours after drinking. It can also show the amount of alcohol that you drank.

Other blood tests measure substances that may stay in your blood for weeks after you've had alcohol. These tests are typically used to test for alcohol use disorder (AUD) or to check whether a person recovering from AUD has stayed sober.

Other names: blood alcohol level test, ethanol test, ethyl alcohol, blood alcohol content

What is it used for?

A blood alcohol test may be used for many purposes, including:

  • Legal evidence. Alcohol testing may be part of:
    • A check to see if you've been "driving while drunk." This means that your alcohol level is above the legal limit. To get quick results, police often ask you to breathe into a breathalyzer, a device that checks your breath for alcohol. But another option may be to go to a medical facility to get a blood test, which provides more accurate results than a breathalyzer.
    • A check for under-age drinking
    • An investigation into a criminal or motor vehicle accident investigation
    • A court case or as part of a parole agreement
  • Employment. Employers test for alcohol use before hiring you. After you're hired, they may test you to check for on-the-job drinking. If you have a work accident, you may be tested to see whether alcohol was involved.
  • Testing for alcohol poisoning. Hospital emergency staff may use a blood alcohol test to check for this life-threatening condition that can happen if blood alcohol level gets very high after drinking large amounts of alcohol. Young children can also get alcohol poisoning from drinking household products that contain alcohol, such as mouthwash and certain cold medicines.
  • Monitoring treatment for alcohol use disorder. Some programs may require testing to see if you have been able to avoid drinking.

Why do I need a blood alcohol test?

You may need a blood alcohol test if you are suspected of drunk driving and/or have symptoms of intoxication. These include:

  • Difficulty with balance and coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Slowed reflexes
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mood changes
  • Poor judgment

You or your child may also need this test if there are symptoms of alcohol poisoning. In addition to the above symptoms, alcohol poisoning can cause:

  • Confusion
  • Irregular breathing
  • Seizures
  • Low body temperature

What happens during a blood alcohol test?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This process usually takes less than five minutes.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don't need any special preparations for a blood alcohol test.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What do the results mean?

Blood alcohol level results may be given in different ways, including percentage of blood alcohol content (BAC). Typical results are below.

  • Sober: 0.0 percent BAC
  • Legally intoxicated: .08 percent BAC
  • Very impaired: .08–0.40 percent BAC. At this blood alcohol level, you may have difficulty walking and speaking. Other symptoms may include confusion, nausea, and drowsiness.
  • At risk for serious complications: Above .40 percent BAC. At this blood alcohol level, you may be at risk for coma or death.

The timing of this test can affect the accuracy of the results. A blood alcohol test is only accurate within 6–12 hours after your last drink. If you have questions or concerns about your results, you may want to talk to a health care provider and/or a lawyer.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions; [updated 2022 Apr 19; cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm
  2. ClinLab Navigator [Internet]. ClinLab Navigator; c2022. Alcohol (Ethanol, Ethyl Alcohol); [cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/alcohol-ethanol-ethyl-alcohol.html
  3. Drugs.com [Internet]. Drugs.com; c2000–2022. Alcohol Intoxication; [updated 2022 Mar 27; cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/cg/alcohol-intoxication.html
  4. Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth's Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Ethyl Alcohol Levels (Blood, Urine, Breath, Saliva) (Alcohol, EtOH); p. 278.
  5. Mayo Clinic: Mayo Medical Laboratories [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1995–2022. Test ID: ALC: Ethanol, Blood: Clinical and Interpretive; [cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8264#Clinical-and-Interpretive
  6. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose; [updated 2021 May; cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-dangers-of-alcohol-overdose
  7. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Drinking Levels Defined; [cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking
  8. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Blood Tests; [updated 2021 Mar 24; cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-tests
  9. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Alcohol Blood Test; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 12 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/alcohol-blood-test/
  10. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Ethanol (Blood); [cited 2022 Jun 3]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=ethanol_blood
  11. UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2022. Blood Alcohol; [updated 2021 Nov 8; cited 2022 June 3]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw3564

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Drug Testing

What is a Drug Test?

A drug test looks for signs of one or more illegal or prescription drugs in a sample of your urine (pee), blood, saliva (spit), hair, or sweat. The purpose of a drug test is to look for drug use and misuse, which includes:

  • Using any illegal drugs, such as cocaine or club drugs
  • Misusing prescription medicines, which means taking prescription medicines in a different way or for a different purpose than your provider prescribed. Examples of drug misuse include using a prescription pain reliever to relax or taking someone else's prescription.

A drug test can check for a single drug or for a group of drugs in your body. Drug tests commonly test for:

  • Alcohol
  • Amphetamines, including methamphetamine
  • Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital and secobarbital
  • Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam or clonazepam
  • Cocaine
  • Marijuana (THC)
  • Opioids and opiates, such as heroin, codeine, oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone, and fentanyl
  • Phencyclidine (PCP)
  • Steroids

Most drug tests use urine samples. These tests can find signs of drugs within hours to several days or more before the test. How long a drug lasts in your body depends on:

  • The type of drug
  • How much you used
  • How long you were using it before the test
  • How your body reacts to the drug

Other names: drug screen, drug test, drugs of abuse testing, substance abuse testing, toxicology screen, tox screen, sports doping tests

What is it used for?

Drug testing is used to find out whether you have been using or misusing one or more drugs. But it can't diagnose a drug use disorder (addiction).

A drug test may be used for different purposes, including:

  • Employment. Employers may screen you for drugs before hiring you. After you're hired, they may test you to check for on-the-job drug use. If you have a work accident, you may be tested to see whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
  • Sports. Professional and other athletes are often tested for drugs that are used to improve performance, such as steroids that help build muscle.
  • Drug treatment. Drug testing may be used to monitor treatment in programs for drug or alcohol use disorder.
  • Legal evidence. Testing may be part of a criminal or motor vehicle accident investigation. Drug screening may also be ordered as part of a court case.
  • Monitoring misuse of prescription drugs. If your provider prescribed a medicine that can be addictive, such as an opioid for long-term pain, your provider may order a drug test to make sure you're taking the medicine correctly.

Drug testing may be scheduled ahead of time or done randomly without notice.

Why do I need a drug test?

You may be asked to take a drug test for a job, to participate in certain organized sports, or as part of a police investigation or court case. In a hospital emergency room, a provider may order a drug test if you have signs of a possible drug overdose.

What happens during a drug test?

Drug testing may be done in a variety of locations, including labs, hospitals, drug treatment centers, and workplaces. The most commonly used drug tests require that you give a urine sample. You will be given instructions for how to collect your sample.

In certain cases, a health care professional or other person may need to be present while you provide your sample. This is to make sure the urine is yours and isn't contaminated with anything that might affect the test results.

For a blood test for drugs, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

Be sure to tell the testing professional if you are taking any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, or supplements, because these substances may affect your test results. Also, you should avoid foods with poppy seeds, which can show up as opiates in a drug test.

Are there any risks to the test?

There are no known physical risks to having a drug test. But if drugs show up in your results, it may affect your job, your eligibility to play sports, the outcome of a legal matter, or other parts of your life.

Before you take a drug test, make sure you know:

  • What you are being tested for
  • Why you are being tested
  • How the results will be used.

If you have questions or concerns about a drug test, talk with your provider or the person or organization that is asking for the test.

What do the results mean?

If a drug test result is negative, it means that either:

  • The drugs that were tested were not found in the sample.
  • A very small amount of drugs were found, but not enough to be a positive test result for drugs.

If a drug test result is positive, it means that one or more drugs were found in amounts that suggest drug use or misuse. Positive tests require follow-up testing because they may be wrong (false positives). The follow-up test is usually a test that provides more accurate results.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

Is there anything else I need to know about a drug test?

If you test positive for a legal drug prescribed by your doctor, your employer can't penalize you, unless the drug is affecting your ability to perform your job.

If you test positive for marijuana and live in a state where it is legal, employers may still be able penalize you. Many employers want to maintain a drug-free workplace. Also, marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

You can buy home tests for many illegal and prescription drugs. There are two types of tests:

  • At-home tests let you do the entire test at home and get rapid results. But if the test result is positive for drugs, you'll need to have a follow-up lab test to check the accuracy of the result. Some at-home tests include a kit for collecting a sample, often urine or saliva, to send to a lab in case the home test is positive.
  • A self-collection test has a kit for gathering urine, saliva, or another type of sample to send to a lab for testing. Some self-collection tests include the cost of a second lab test to check the accuracy of a first test that has positive results.

When using home tests, be careful to follow all the instructions. It's best to talk with your provider about using home drug testing so you can decide if it's right for your situation.

References

  1. FDA: US Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Drugs of Abuse Home Use Test; [current as of 2018 Sep 27; cited 2022 Mar 25]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/drugs-abuse-tests/drugs-abuse-home-use-test
  2. Drugs.com [Internet]. Drugs.com; c2000–2022. Drug Testing FAQs [updated 2019 Sep 5; cited 2022 Mar 22]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/article/drug-testing.html
  3. Merck Manual Professional Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2022. Drug Testing [reviewed 2020 May; cited 2022 Mar 22]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/recreational-drugs-and-intoxicants/drug-testing
  4. Merck Manual Professional Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2022. Opioid Use Disorder and Rehabilitation [reviewed 2020 May; 2022 Mar 22]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/special-subjects/recreational-drugs-and-intoxicants/opioid-use-disorder-and-rehabilitation
  5. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Blood Tests [updated 2022 Mar 24; cited 2022 Mar 23]; [about 14 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests
  6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [Internet]. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Drug Testing Resources [updated 2021 Oct 14; cited 2022 Mar 25]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/resources/drug-testing
  7. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. 10-Panel Drug Test; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2022 Mar 25]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/10-panel-drug-testing/
  8. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. At-Home Drug Testing; [modified 2022 Feb 28; cited 2022 Mar 25]; [about 15 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/at-home-drug-test/
  9. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Drug Testing; [modified 2021 Nov 11; cited 2022 Mar 22]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/drug-testing/
  10. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Urine Drug Tests; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2022 Mar 25]; [about 16 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/urine-drug-test/
  11. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Amphetamine Screen (Urine) [cited 2022 Mar 23]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=amphetamine_urine_screen
  12. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Cannabinoid Screen and Confirmation (Urine) [cited 2022 Mar 23]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=cannabinoid_screen_urine
  13. Workplace Fairness [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): Workplace Fairness; c2022. Drug Testing; [cited 2022 Mar 23]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.workplacefairness.org/drug-testing-workplace

[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.