Genetic susceptibility to disease (Z15)

The ICD-10 code Z15 series identifies patients with genetic susceptibility to various diseases, focusing primarily on inherited risks for types of cancer and other conditions. These codes are used to document and track individuals who carry genetic markers indicating a higher likelihood of developing specific diseases.

The section includes codes such as Z15.01 for genetic susceptibility to breast cancer, encompassing well-known markers like BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations and Li-Fraumeni syndrome, helping clarify terms like "Breast cancer genetic marker of susceptibility detected." Other specific codes cover susceptibility to ovarian (Z15.02), prostate (Z15.03), and endometrial cancers (Z15.04), as well as a broader Z15.09 for other hereditary cancers, including Lynch syndrome and hereditary colorectal cancer mutations. Additionally, these codes address genetic susceptibility to non-cancer diseases, such as epilepsy (Z15.1), obesity (Z15.2), and multiple endocrine neoplasia (Z15.81). The naming of various syndromes and gene mutations under these codes guides medical coders in accurately capturing genetic risk factors, facilitating personalized patient care and preventative strategies.

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.

  • confirmed abnormal gene

Use Additional Code

The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.

  • code, if applicable, for any associated family history of the disease Z80 Z84

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.

  • chromosomal anomalies Q90 Q99