2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z16Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
Z16 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for resistance to antimicrobial drugs, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Z16.10, Z16.11, Z16.12, and Z16.13.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Resistance to antimicrobial drugsOverview
Non-specific codes like Z16 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
Z16.1 for Resistance to beta lactam antibiotics
Use Z16.10 for Resistance to unspecified beta lactam antibiotics
Use Z16.11 for Resistance to penicillins
Use Z16.12 for Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) resistance
Use Z16.13 for Resistance to carbapenem
Use Z16.19 for Resistance to other specified beta lactam antibiotics
Z16.2 for Resistance to other antibiotics
Use Z16.20 for Resistance to unspecified antibiotic
Use Z16.21 for Resistance to vancomycin
Use Z16.22 for Resistance to vancomycin related antibiotics
Use Z16.23 for Resistance to quinolones and fluoroquinolones
Use Z16.24 for Resistance to multiple antibiotics
Use Z16.29 for Resistance to other single specified antibiotic
Z16.3 for Resistance to other antimicrobial drugs
Use Z16.30 for Resistance to unspecified antimicrobial drugs
Use Z16.31 for Resistance to antiparasitic drug(s)
Use Z16.32 for Resistance to antifungal drug(s)
Use Z16.33 for Resistance to antiviral drug(s)
Z16.34 for Resistance to antimycobacterial drug(s)
Use Z16.35 for Resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs
Use Z16.39 for Resistance to other specified antimicrobial drug
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Code First
- the infection
Type 1 Excludes
- Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection A49.02
- Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia J15.212
- Sepsis due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus A41.02
- The codes in this category are provided for use as additional codes to identify the resistance and non-responsiveness of a condition to antimicrobial drugs.
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
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.
Patient EducationClinical
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics are medicines that treat bacterial infections in humans and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. When used properly, antibiotics can save lives. But there is a growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
The full article covers:
- What are antibiotics?
- What is antibiotic resistance?
- How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?
- Who is more likely to develop an antibiotic-resistant infection?
- How can antibiotic resistance be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About Z16Overview
Is Z16 (Resistance to antimicrobial drugs) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for resistance to antimicrobial drugs, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for resistance to antimicrobial drugs need a more specific code from this category, such as Z16.10, Z16.11, and Z16.12.
