Asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection status (Z21)
The ICD-10 code Z21 is used to document the status of a person who is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but shows no symptoms. This code captures cases where the virus is present without signs of illness.
Z21HIV detected, HIV CDC stage 0, or Human immunodeficiency virus carrier. It covers various contexts like a positive HIV test result (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay positive), history of asymptomatic infection, and situations including pregnancy complicated by HIV. This code is important for distinguishing patients who carry HIV without symptoms from those with active AIDS or related illnesses. Using the ICD-10 code for asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection helps healthcare providers and coders accurately capture and track the infection status in medical records and billing, facilitating appropriate monitoring and care without conflating with overt HIV disease stages.
Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00–Z99)
Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases (Z20-Z29)
- Z21 Asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection status
Asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection status (Z21)
Instructional Notations
Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
- HIV positive NOS
Code First
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
- Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, if applicable O98.7
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
