2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z02.81Encounter for paternity testing

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z00-Z13›Z02

ICD-10-CM Z02.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Z02.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for encounter for paternity testing. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Encounter for administrative purposes.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z02.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Encounter for paternity testing
Short Description
Encounter for paternity testing
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Z02.8
Encounter for other administrative examinations

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ00-Z13Persons encountering health services for examinations
CategoryZ02Encounter for administrative examination
This CodeZ02.81Encounter for paternity testing

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Z02.81 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Encounter(with health service) (for)
      • administrative purpose only
        • examination for
          • paternity testing
    • Examination(for) (following) (general) (of) (routine)
      • medical (adult) (for) (of)
        • paternity testing

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR FAC001
Encounter for administrative purposes
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Convert Z02.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
V70.4 Exam-medicolegal reasons
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Z02.81Overview

Is Z02.81 (Encounter for other administrative examinations) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report encounter for paternity testing on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Is Z02.81 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for encounter for paternity testing on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Z02.81?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, encounter for paternity testing converts to ICD-9-CM V70.4 (exam-medicolegal reasons). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.