ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z20 - Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases (original) (raw)
ICD List 2025-2026 Edition
- Home
- ICD-10-CM Codes
- Z00–Z99
- Z20-Z29
- suspected
- 2026 ICD-10-CM Code Z20
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases
ICD-10-CM Code:
Z20
ICD-10 Code for:
Contact w and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:
Z20 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.
Non-specific codes like Z20 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for contact w and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases:
Z20.0 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to intestinal infectious diseases
Use Z20.01 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to intestinal infectious diseases due to Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Use Z20.09 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other intestinal infectious diseases
Use Z20.1 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to tuberculosis
Use Z20.2 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission
Use Z20.3 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to rabies
Use Z20.4 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to rubella
Use Z20.5 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to viral hepatitis
Use Z20.6 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]
Use Z20.7 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to pediculosis, acariasis and other infestations
Z20.8 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other communicable diseases
Z20.81 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other bacterial communicable diseases
Z20.82 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases
Use Z20.89 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other communicable diseases
Use Z20.9 for Contact with and (suspected) exposure to unspecified communicable disease
- Code Information
- Specific Coding
- Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
- Patient Education
- Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
- Code History
- Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
Z00–Z99
Infectious Diseases
What are infectious diseases?
Germs, or microbes, are found everywhere - in the air, soil, and water. There are also germs on your skin and in your body. Many of them are harmless, and some can even be helpful. But some of them can make you sick. Infectious diseases are diseases that are caused by germs.
What are the different types of germs that cause infectious diseases?
There are four main types of germs:
- Bacteria are one-celled germs that multiply quickly. They may give off toxins, which are harmful chemicals that can make you sick. Strep throat and urinary tract infections are common bacterial infections.
- Viruses are tiny capsules that contain genetic material. They invade your cells so that they can multiply. This can kill, damage, or change the cells and make you sick. Viral infections include HIV and the common cold.
- Fungi are primitive plant-like organisms such as mushrooms, mold, mildew, and yeasts. Athlete's foot and yeast infections are common fungal infections.
- Parasites are animals or plants that survive by living on or in other living things. Malaria and head lice are infections that are caused by parasites.
How can you get infectious diseases?
There are many different ways that you can get an infectious disease, depending on the type of germ. They can include:
- Through direct contact with a person who is sick. This includes kissing, touching, sneezing, coughing, and sexual contact. If you are pregnant, you can pass some germs to your fetus.
- Through indirect contact, when you touch something that has germs on it. For example, you could get germs if someone who is sick touched a door handle, and then you touch it.
- Through insect or animal bites.
- Through contaminated food, water, soil, or plants.
What are the symptoms of infectious diseases?
Infectious diseases can cause many different symptoms. Some are so mild that you may not even notice any symptoms, while others can be life-threatening.
What are the treatments for infectious diseases?
There are treatments for some infectious diseases, such as antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal and anti-parasitic medicines. But for other infections, such as some caused by viruses, you can only treat your symptoms while you wait for your immune system to fight off the germ.
Can infectious diseases be prevented?
You can take steps to help prevent many infectious diseases:
- Get vaccinated.
- Wash your hands often.
- Pay attention to food safety.
- Avoid contact with wild animals.
- Use a latex condom every time you have sex. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
- Don't share items such as toothbrushes, combs, and straws.
FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.