2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z48.02Encounter for removal of sutures

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z40-Z53›Z48

ICD-10-CM Z48.02
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Z48.02 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for encounter for removal of sutures. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The code is not accepted as a principal diagnosis by the Medicare Code Editor and exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as removal of sutures done. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other aftercare encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z48.02
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Encounter for removal of sutures
Short Description
Encounter for removal of sutures
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Z48.0
Encounter for attention to dressings, sutures and drains

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ40-Z53Encounters for other specific health care
CategoryZ48Encounter for other postprocedural aftercare
This CodeZ48.02Encounter for removal of sutures

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for Z48.02.

Unacceptable principal diagnosis
There are selected codes that describe a circumstance which influences an individual's health status but not a current illness or injury, or codes that are not specific manifestations but may be due to an underlying cause. These codes are considered unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Z48.02 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Removal of sutures done

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Encounter for removal of staples

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Admission(for)
      • removal of
        • staples
    • Admission(for)
      • removal of
        • sutures
    • Aftercare
      • following surgery (for) (on)
        • attention to
          • sutures
    • Aftercare
      • involving
        • removal of
          • staples
    • Aftercare
      • involving
        • removal of
          • sutures
    • Attention(to)
      • sutures
    • Removal(from) (of)
      • staples
    • Removal(from) (of)
      • suture
    • Suture
      • removal

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR FAC010
Other aftercare encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Wounds and Injuries

An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert Z48.02 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
V58.32 Attn removal of sutures
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Z48.02Overview

Is Z48.02 (Encounter for attention to dressings, sutures and drains) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report encounter for removal of sutures on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Can Z48.02 be a principal diagnosis?

No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because encounter for removal of sutures describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.

Is Z48.02 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for encounter for removal of sutures on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Z48.02?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, encounter for removal of sutures converts to ICD-9-CM V58.32 (attn removal of sutures). The mapping is a direct match.