2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z13.31Encounter for screening for depression

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z00-Z13›Z13

ICD-10-CM Z13.31
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Z13.31 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for encounter for screening for depression. 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 depression screening positive. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Encounter for mental health conditions.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z13.31
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Encounter for screening for depression
Short Description
Encounter for screening for depression
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Z13.3
Encounter for screening examination for mental health and behavioral disorders

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ00-Z13Persons encountering health services for examinations
CategoryZ13Encounter for screening for other diseases and disorders
This CodeZ13.31Encounter for screening for depression

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for Z13.31.

Unacceptable principal diagnosis
There are selected codes that describe a circumstance which influences an individual's health status but not a current illness or injury, or codes that are not specific manifestations but may be due to an underlying cause. These codes are considered unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Z13.31 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.

  • Depression screening positive
  • Positive screening for depression on PHQ-2
  • Positive screening for depression on PHQ-9

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Encounter for screening for depression, adult
  • Encounter for screening for depression for child or adolescent

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.

    • Screening(for)
      • depression (adult) (adolescent) (child)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR FAC007
Encounter for mental health conditions
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Depression

Depression is more than a feeling of being sad or irritable for a few days. It's a serious mood disorder. As one of the most common mental disorders in the United States, depression can affect how you think, feel, and your everyday life.

The full article covers:

  • What is depression?
  • What are the different types of depression?
  • What causes depression?
  • Who is at risk of depression?
  • What are the symptoms of depression?
  • How is depression diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for depression?
  • Can depression be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement Z13.31 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • Z13.8 - Encounter for screening for oth diseases and disorders
FY 2019AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2018.
FY 2020–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Z13.31Overview

Is Z13.31 a billable code?

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

Can Z13.31 be a principal diagnosis?

No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because encounter for screening for depression describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.

Is Z13.31 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 depression on inpatient claims.