Problems related to education and literacy (Z55) ICD-10-CM
The Z55 code range covers problems related to education and literacy with 10 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 9 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
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.
Codes in the Z55 Range 10 codes · 9 billable
- Z55 Problems related to education and literacyNon-billable
- Z55.0 Illiteracy and low-level literacy
- Z55.1 Schooling unavailable and unattainable
- Z55.2 Failed school examinations
- Z55.3 Underachievement in school
- Z55.4 Educational maladjustment and discord with teachers and classmates
- Z55.5 Less than a high school diploma
- Z55.6 Problems related to health literacy
- Z55.8 Other problems related to education and literacy
- Z55.9 Problems related to education and literacy, unspecified
About the Z55 Code Range
Education and literacy problems can involve reading ability, access to school, academic performance, or discord with teachers and classmates.
Z55.0 addresses illiteracy and low-level literacy, while Z55.1 addresses schooling that is unavailable or unattainable. School performance appears in Z55.2 for failed examinations and Z55.3 for underachievement. Z55.4 concerns difficulty adjusting to school or discord with teachers and classmates.
Z55.5 identifies having less than a high school diploma, and Z55.6 identifies problems related to health literacy. Z55.8 and Z55.9 distinguish other problems from unspecified problems related to education and literacy.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the Z55 range?
Of the 10 codes in this range, 9 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the Z55 range classify?
The range classifies problems related to education and literacy. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
