Z20
Non-Billable

Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases?

ICD-10-CM Z20 is the diagnosis code for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases. This code falls under the section "Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases" within Chapter 21 — Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1
â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for Z20

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as Z20. They are mutually exclusive:

  • carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)
  • diagnosed current infectious or parasitic disease -see Alphabetic Index

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in Z20. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • personal history of infectious and parasitic diseases (Z86.1-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where Z20 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 10 entries
Z20.0Contact with and (suspected) exposure to intestinal infectious diseasesNon-BillableZ20.01Contact with and (suspected) exposure to intestinal infectious diseases due to Escherichia coli (E. coli)BillableZ20.09Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other intestinal infectious diseasesBillableZ20.1Contact with and (suspected) exposure to tuberculosisBillableZ20.2Contact with and (suspected) exposure to infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmissionBillableZ20.3Contact with and (suspected) exposure to rabiesBillableZ20.4Contact with and (suspected) exposure to rubellaBillableZ20.5Contact with and (suspected) exposure to viral hepatitisBillableZ20.6Contact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]BillableZ20.7Contact with and (suspected) exposure to pediculosis, acariasis and other infestationsBillableZ20.8Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other communicable diseasesNon-BillableZ20.81Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other bacterial communicable diseasesNon-BillableZ20.810Contact with and (suspected) exposure to anthraxBillableZ20.811Contact with and (suspected) exposure to meningococcusBillableZ20.818Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other bacterial communicable diseasesBillableZ20.82Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseasesNon-BillableZ20.820Contact with and (suspected) exposure to varicellaBillableZ20.821Contact with and (suspected) exposure to Zika virusBillableZ20.822Contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19BillableZ20.828Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseasesBillableZ20.89Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other communicable diseasesBillableZ20.9Contact with and (suspected) exposure to unspecified communicable diseaseBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Z20 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, Z20 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does Z20 mean?

Z20 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is Z20 in?

Z20 is located in Section Z20-Z29 — "Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases" within Chapter 21 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of Z20?

Z20 has 10 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: Z20.0, Z20.1, Z20.2, Z20.3, Z20.4 and more.

When should I use Z20?

Use Z20 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases?

The ICD-10-CM code for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases is Z20.

Can Z20 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, Z20 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is Z20 in?

Z20 is in Chapter 21 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from Z20?

Type 1 Excludes for Z20 include: carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-); diagnosed current infectious or parasitic disease -see Alphabetic Index.

Is Z20 valid for 2026?

Yes, Z20 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

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Code Details
Z20
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
21 — Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
Z20-Z29 — Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases
2026 ICD-10-CM