2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z20Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases
Z20 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Z20.01, Z20.09, Z20.1, and Z20.2.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Contact w and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseasesOverview
Non-specific codes like Z20 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
Z20.0 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to intestinal infectious diseases
Use Z20.01 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to intestinal infectious diseases due to Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Use Z20.09 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other intestinal infectious diseases
Use Z20.1 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to tuberculosis
Use Z20.2 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission
Use Z20.3 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to rabies
Use Z20.4 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to rubella
Use Z20.5 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to viral hepatitis
Use Z20.6 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]
Use Z20.7 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to pediculosis, acariasis and other infestations
Z20.8 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other communicable diseases
Z20.81 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other bacterial communicable diseases
Z20.82 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases
Use Z20.89 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other communicable diseases
Use Z20.9 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to unspecified communicable disease
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Type 1 Excludes
- carrier of infectious disease Z22
- diagnosed current infectious or parasitic disease -see Alphabetic Index
Type 2 Excludes
- personal history of infectious and parasitic diseases Z86.1
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.
Patient EducationClinical
Infectious Diseases
Germs, or microbes, are found everywhere - in the air, soil, and water. There are also germs on your skin and in your body. Many of them are harmless, and some can even be helpful. But some of them can make you sick. Infectious diseases are diseases that are caused by germs.
The full article covers:
- What are infectious diseases?
- What are the different types of germs that cause infectious diseases?
- How can you get infectious diseases?
- What are the symptoms of infectious diseases?
- What are the treatments for infectious diseases?
- Can infectious diseases 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 Z20Overview
Is Z20 a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases need a more specific code from this category, such as Z20.01, Z20.09, and Z20.1.
