2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z43Encounter for attention to artificial openings

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z40-Z53›Z43

ICD-10-CM Z43
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Z43 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for encounter for attention to artificial openings, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Z43.0, Z43.1, Z43.2, and Z43.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z43
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Encounter for attention to artificial openings
Short Description
Encounter for attention to artificial openings
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
CategoryZ43Encounter for attention to artificial openings
This CodeZ43Encounter for attention to artificial openings

Specific Coding for Encounter for attention to artificial openingsOverview

Non-specific codes like Z43 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use Z43.0 for Encounter for attention to tracheostomy

  • Use Z43.1 for Encounter for attention to gastrostomy

  • Use Z43.2 for Encounter for attention to ileostomy

  • Use Z43.3 for Encounter for attention to colostomy

  • Use Z43.4 for Encounter for attention to other artificial openings of digestive tract

  • Use Z43.5 for Encounter for attention to cystostomy

  • Use Z43.6 for Encounter for attention to other artificial openings of urinary tract

  • Use Z43.7 for Encounter for attention to artificial vagina

  • Use Z43.8 for Encounter for attention to other artificial openings

  • Use Z43.9 for Encounter for attention to unspecified artificial opening

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Z43: 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.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • closure of artificial openings
  • passage of sounds or bougies through artificial openings
  • reforming artificial openings
  • removal of catheter from artificial openings
  • toilet or cleansing of artificial openings

Excludes1

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

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.

On Z43 itself
  • fitting and adjustment of prosthetic and other devices (Z44-Z46)
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 Z43, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming Z43: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Z93 Artificial opening status
    artificial openings requiring attention or management (Z43.-)

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming Z43: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block T80-T88 Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified
    closure of external stoma (Z43.-)
  • Z48 Encounter for other postprocedural aftercare
    encounter for attention to artificial openings (Z43.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Ostomy

An ostomy is surgery to create an opening (stoma) from an area inside the body to the outside. It treats certain diseases of the digestive or urinary systems. It can be permanent, when an organ must be removed. It can be temporary, when the organ needs time to heal. The organ could be the small intestine, colon, rectum, or bladder.

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 Z43Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for encounter for attention to artificial openings?

Z43 is the ICD-10-CM category for encounter for attention to artificial openings, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is Z43 (Encounter for attention to artificial openings) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for encounter for attention to artificial openings, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for encounter for attention to artificial openings need a more specific code from this category, such as Z43.0, Z43.1, and Z43.2.

Can Z43 be reported with a code from J95.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on Z43 lists "complications of external stoma (J95.0-, K94.-, N99.5-)". 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).