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  6. 2025 ICD-10-CM Code Z16

2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z16

Resistance to antimicrobial drugs

ICD-10-CM Code:
Z16
ICD-10 Code for:
Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Z16 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of resistance to antimicrobial drugs. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Resistance to antimicrobial drugs

Non-specific codes like Z16 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for resistance to antimicrobial drugs:

  • Z16.1 for Resistance to beta lactam antibiotics - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.10 for Resistance to unspecified beta lactam antibiotics - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.11 for Resistance to penicillins - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.12 for Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) resistance - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.13 for Resistance to carbapenem - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.19 for Resistance to other specified beta lactam antibiotics - BILLABLE CODE

  • Z16.2 for Resistance to other antibiotics - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.20 for Resistance to unspecified antibiotic - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.21 for Resistance to vancomycin - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.22 for Resistance to vancomycin related antibiotics - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.23 for Resistance to quinolones and fluoroquinolones - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.24 for Resistance to multiple antibiotics - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.29 for Resistance to other single specified antibiotic - BILLABLE CODE

  • Z16.3 for Resistance to other antimicrobial drugs - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.30 for Resistance to unspecified antimicrobial drugs - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.31 for Resistance to antiparasitic drug(s) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.32 for Resistance to antifungal drug(s) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.33 for Resistance to antiviral drug(s) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Z16.34 for Resistance to antimycobacterial drug(s) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.35 for Resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z16.39 for Resistance to other specified antimicrobial drug - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
    Z00–Z99
    • Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
      Z16
      • Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
        Z16

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.


Code First

Code First
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.
  • the infection

Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
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.
  • 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.

Patient Education


Antibiotic Resistance

What are antibiotics?

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.

What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change and can resist the effects of an antibiotic. The bacteria are not killed, and they continue to grow. The infections these bacteria cause are called resistant infections. Resistant infections can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat. In some cases, they can even be deadly.

Antibiotic resistance does not mean that your body is resistant to antibiotics.

There are many different types of resistant infections. They include MRSA and drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). If you get a resistant infection, you might need:

  • A long hospital stay
  • A long recovery
  • Follow-up visits with health care providers
  • Treatments that are expensive and may have severe side effects

Antibiotic resistance is one type of antimicrobial resistance. There are other types; viruses, fungi, and parasites can also become resistant to medicines.

How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

Antibiotic resistance is a natural process that happens over time. To survive, bacteria can develop defense strategies against antibiotics. This happens through genetic changes in the bacteria. These resistant bacteria survive, grow, and spread.

Each time you take antibiotics, there is a risk that the bacteria will become resistant. So it is important to only take antibiotics when you really need them. They won't work on viral infections such as colds and the flu. And you don't need antibiotics for every bacterial infection. For example, you may not need them for some sinus and ear infections.

Who is more likely to develop an antibiotic-resistant infection?

Anyone can develop an antibiotic-resistant infection, but certain people may be at higher risk, including those who:

  • Have a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV or from taking medicines that affect the immune system
  • Are getting medical care such as surgery and hospital stays
  • Take antibiotics for a long time
  • Are infants, especially if they were born prematurely
  • Are older adults

How can antibiotic resistance be prevented?

There will always be some antibiotic resistance, since it happens naturally. But you can help fight against antibiotic resistance by taking these steps:

  • Don't use antibiotics for viruses.
  • Don't pressure your health care provider to give you an antibiotic if they don't think you need one.
  • When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully.
  • Don't share your antibiotics with others.
  • Don't save antibiotics for later or use someone else's prescription.
  • Help prevent the spread of bacterial infections with good hygiene habits. These include washing your hands often and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


[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.