2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z16Resistance to antimicrobial drugs

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z16›Z16

ICD-10-CM Z16
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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

ICD-10-CM Code
Z16
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
Short Description
Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
Z16
Resistance to antimicrobial drugs

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ16Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
CategoryZ16Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
This CodeZ16Resistance to antimicrobial drugs

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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Z16: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 21. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (A49.02)
  • Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (J15.212)
  • Sepsis due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (A41.02)

Code First

The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.

  • the infection

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

On Z16 itself
  • 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.
From Chapter 21 (Z00-Z99) Factors influencing health status and contact with health services applies to 1,425 codes
  • Z codes represent reasons for encounters. A corresponding procedure code must accompany a Z code if a procedure is performed. Categories Z00-Z99 are provided for occasions when circumstances other than a disease, injury or external cause classifiable to categories A00-Y89 are recorded as 'diagnoses' or 'problems'. This can arise in two main ways:
  • (a) When a person who may or may not be sick encounters the health services for some specific purpose, such as to receive limited care or service for a current condition, to donate an organ or tissue, to receive prophylactic vaccination (immunization), or to discuss a problem which is in itself not a disease or injury.
  • (b) When some circumstance or problem is present which influences the person's health status but is not in itself a current illness or injury.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name Z16, its category, or a range that includes it.

Use Additional Code 2

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and Z16 is one of the codes named.

  • Chapter 1 (A00-B99) Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
    code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)
  • Block J09-J18 Influenza and pneumonia
    code, if applicable, to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)

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

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About Z16Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for resistance to antimicrobial drugs?

Z16 is the ICD-10-CM category for resistance to antimicrobial drugs, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

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.

Can Z16 be reported with A49.02?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on Z16 lists "Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (A49.02)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

What is coded first with Z16?

The Code First note reads: the infection. When one of these applies, it is sequenced before Z16.