Encounter for examination and observation for other reasons (Z04)
The ICD-10 code section Z04 covers encounters where a patient undergoes medical examination and observation for various specific or nonspecific reasons unrelated to a confirmed diagnosis. These codes are used when healthcare providers assess individuals due to accidents, alleged abuse, or other concerns without identifying an immediate medical condition.
This section includes codes like Z04.1 for examinations following transport accidents and Z04.2 for work-related incident evaluations. For other accidents; ranging from environmental exposure to electrical injuries; Z04.3 applies, covering many detailed circumstances such as “accident due to sudden air pressure change” and cold-related injuries. Codes Z04.4, Z04.41, and Z04.42 address encounters following alleged rape, with specific distinctions for adult and child victims. Physical abuse evaluations use codes Z04.7, Z04.71, and Z04.72. Additionally, Z04.6 relates to psychiatric exams requested by authorities. The category also includes codes for examinations linked to forced sexual or labor exploitation (Z04.81 and Z04.82). Finally, Z04.89 and Z04.9 cover other specified and unspecified reasons for examination, including forensic exams and general observation. Knowing these codes helps coders accurately document encounters where evaluation is key, even when no illness is diagnosed.
Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00–Z99)
Persons encountering health services for examinations (Z00-Z13)
Z04 Encounter for examination and observation for other reasons
- Z04.1 Encounter for examination and observation following transport accident
- Z04.2 Encounter for examination and observation following work accident
- Z04.3 Encounter for examination and observation following other accident
Z04.4 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged rape
- Z04.41 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged adult rape
- Z04.42 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child rape
- Z04.6 Encounter for general psychiatric examination, requested by authority
Z04.7 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged physical abuse
- Z04.71 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged adult physical abuse
- Z04.72 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child physical abuse
Z04.8 Encounter for examination and observation for other specified reasons
- Z04.81 Encounter for examination and observation of victim following forced sexual exploitation
- Z04.82 Encounter for examination and observation of victim following forced labor exploitation
- Z04.89 Encounter for examination and observation for other specified reasons
- Z04.9 Encounter for examination and observation for unspecified reason
Encounter for examination and observation for other reasons (Z04)
Instructional Notations
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- encounter for examination for medicolegal reasons
- This category is to be used when a person without a diagnosis is suspected of having an abnormal condition, without signs or symptoms, which requires study, but after examination and observation, is ruled-out. This category is also for use for administrative and legal observation status.
