2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z12.4Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix
Z12.4 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The code is not accepted as a principal diagnosis by the Medicare Code Editor and exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as cancer cervix screening and fee claim. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Neoplasm-related encounters.
This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Family Practice medical specialties to designate conditions such general medical examination.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Code EditsBilling
Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for Z12.4.
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
Z12.4 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Cancer cervix screening and fee claim
- Sampling of cervix for Papanicolaou smear done
- Screening for malignant neoplasm done
- Screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix done
- Screening for neoplasm done
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Encounter for screening pap smear for malignant neoplasm of cervix
Type 1 Excludes
- when screening is part of general gynecological examination Z01.4
Type 2 Excludes
- encounter for screening for human papillomavirus Z11.51
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.
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.
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.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Admission (for) - See Also: Encounter (for);
- Papanicolaou smear, cervix - Z12.4
- for suspected malignant neoplasm - Z12.4
- Examination (for) (following) (general) (of) (routine) - Z00.00
- cervical Papanicolaou smear - Z12.4
- Papanicolaou smear, cervix - Z12.4
- for suspected neoplasm - Z12.4
- Screening (for) - Z13.9
- neoplasm (malignant) (of) - Z12.9
- cervix - Z12.4
- genitourinary organs NEC - Z12.79
- cervix - Z12.4
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Admission(for)
- Papanicolaou smear, cervix
- Admission(for)
- Papanicolaou smear, cervix
- for suspected malignant neoplasm
- Examination(for) (following) (general) (of) (routine)
- cervical Papanicolaou smear
- Papanicolaou smear, cervix
- Papanicolaou smear, cervix
- for suspected neoplasm
- Screening(for)
- neoplasm (malignant) (of)
- cervix
- Screening(for)
- neoplasm (malignant) (of)
- genitourinary organs NEC
- cervix
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. It is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb), which opens into the vagina (birth canal). Cervical cancer screening is an important part of routine health care for people who have a cervix.
The full article covers:
- What is cervical cancer screening?
- What tests screen for cervical cancer?
- What are the possible benefits and harms of cervical cancer screening?
- Should I be screened for cervical cancer?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert Z12.4 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About Z12.4Overview
Is Z12.4 (Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Can Z12.4 be a principal diagnosis?
No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.
Is Z12.4 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 screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Z12.4?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix converts to ICD-9-CM V76.2 (screen mal neop-cervix). The mapping is a direct match.
