2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z99.81Dependence on supplemental oxygen

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z77-Z99›Z99

ICD-10-CM Z99.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Z99.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for dependence on supplemental oxygen. 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified status.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z99.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Dependence on supplemental oxygen
Short Description
Dependence on supplemental oxygen
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Z99.8
Dependence on other enabling machines and devices

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ77-Z99Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status
CategoryZ99Dependence on enabling machines and devices, not elsewhere classified
This CodeZ99.81Dependence on supplemental oxygen

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for Z99.81.

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

Z99.81 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.

  • Dependence on continuous home oxygen supply
  • Dependence on continuous supplemental oxygen
  • Dependence on nocturnal oxygen therapy
  • Dependence on supplemental oxygen
  • Dependence on supplemental oxygen when ambulating
  • Equipment in use
  • Home oxygen supply
  • Home oxygen supply started
  • Requires oxygen therapy during exercise

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Dependence on long-term oxygen

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.

    • Dependence(on) (syndrome)
      • oxygen (long-term) (supplemental)
    • Dependence(on) (syndrome)
      • supplemental oxygen

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR FAC025
Other specified status
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen is a gas that your body needs to work properly. Your cells need oxygen to make energy. Your lungs absorb oxygen from the air you breathe. The oxygen enters your blood from your lungs and travels to your organs and body tissues.

The full article covers:

  • What is oxygen?
  • What is oxygen therapy?
  • Who needs oxygen therapy?
  • What are the risks of using oxygen therapy?
  • What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert Z99.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
V46.2 Depend-supplement oxygen
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 Z99.81Overview

Is Z99.81 (Dependence on other enabling machines and devices) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report dependence on supplemental oxygen on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Can Z99.81 be a principal diagnosis?

No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because dependence on supplemental oxygen describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.

Is Z99.81 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 dependence on supplemental oxygen on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Z99.81?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, dependence on supplemental oxygen converts to ICD-9-CM V46.2 (depend-supplement oxygen). The mapping is a direct match.