2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z40Encounter for prophylactic surgery

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z40-Z53›Z40

ICD-10-CM Z40
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Z40 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for encounter for prophylactic surgery, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Z40.00, Z40.01, Z40.02, and Z40.03.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z40
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Encounter for prophylactic surgery
Short Description
Encounter for prophylactic surgery
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
Z40-Z53
Encounters for other specific health care

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ40-Z53Encounters for other specific health care
CategoryZ40Encounter for prophylactic surgery
This CodeZ40Encounter for prophylactic surgery

Specific Coding for Encounter for prophylactic surgeryOverview

Non-specific codes like Z40 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Z40.0 for Encounter for prophylactic surgery for risk factors related to malignant neoplasms

  • Use Z40.00 for Encounter for prophylactic removal of unspecified organ

  • Use Z40.01 for Encounter for prophylactic removal of breast

  • Use Z40.02 for Encounter for prophylactic removal of ovary(s)

  • Use Z40.03 for Encounter for prophylactic removal of fallopian tube(s)

  • Use Z40.09 for Encounter for prophylactic removal of other organ

  • Z40.8 for Encounter for other prophylactic surgery

  • Use Z40.81 for Encounter for prophylactic surgery for removal of ovary(s) for persons without known genetic/familial risk factors

  • Use Z40.82 for Encounter for prophylactic surgery for removal of fallopian tube(s) for persons without known genetic/familial risk factors

  • Use Z40.89 for Encounter for other prophylactic surgery

  • Use Z40.9 for Encounter for prophylactic surgery, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Z40: its own notes plus those printed at block Z40-Z53 and 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.

  • organ donations (Z52.-)
  • therapeutic organ removal-code to condition

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block Z40-Z53 Encounters for other specific health care applies to 164 codes
  • follow-up examination for medical surveillance after treatment (Z08-Z09)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

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 Z40, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming Z40: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Z29 Encounter for other prophylactic measures
    prophylactic surgery (Z40.-)

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 Z40Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for encounter for prophylactic surgery?

Z40 is the ICD-10-CM category for encounter for prophylactic surgery, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is Z40 (Encounter for prophylactic surgery) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for encounter for prophylactic surgery, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for encounter for prophylactic surgery need a more specific code from this category, such as Z40.00, Z40.01, and Z40.02.

Can Z40 be reported with a code from Z52?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on Z40 lists "organ donations (Z52.-)". 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).