2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z55Problems related to education and literacy

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z55-Z65›Z55

ICD-10-CM Z55
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Z55 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for problems related to education and literacy, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Z55.0, Z55.1, Z55.2, and Z55.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z55
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Problems related to education and literacy
Short Description
Problems related to education and literacy
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
Z55-Z65
Persons with potential health hazards related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ55-Z65Persons with potential health hazards related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances
CategoryZ55Problems related to education and literacy
This CodeZ55Problems related to education and literacy

Specific Coding for Problems related to education and literacyOverview

Non-specific codes like Z55 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use Z55.0 for Illiteracy and low-level literacy

  • Use Z55.1 for Schooling unavailable and unattainable

  • Use Z55.2 for Failed school examinations

  • Use Z55.3 for Underachievement in school

  • Use Z55.4 for Educational maladjustment and discord with teachers and classmates

  • Use Z55.5 for Less than a high school diploma

  • Use Z55.6 for Problems related to health literacy

  • Use Z55.8 for Other problems related to education and literacy

  • Use Z55.9 for Problems related to education and literacy, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Z55: 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.

  • disorders of psychological development (F80-F89)

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.

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 Z55Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for problems related to education and literacy?

Z55 is the ICD-10-CM category for problems related to education and literacy, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is Z55 (Problems related to education and literacy) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for problems related to education and literacy, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for problems related to education and literacy need a more specific code from this category, such as Z55.0, Z55.1, and Z55.2.