How many Z codes are permitted to be used only as first-listed diagnosis codes?

Z codes, known as factors influencing health status and contact with health services, serve specific roles in coding. Certain Z codes are designated to be used exclusively as first-listed diagnosis codes; this means they cannot be used as secondary diagnoses.

The correct answer indicates that there are a total of 20 Z codes that must be reported as the primary reason for a patient’s visit or encounter. These codes are typically related to circumstances like routine health examinations, status of previous conditions, or other health needs not directly tied to a specific illness or injury.

Using these codes correctly as first-listed is crucial in ensuring that the focus of the encounter is properly documented. This plays a significant role in reimbursement and data integrity, given that these codes help paint a broad picture of patient care and needs beyond just illness treatment. This understanding of Z codes is essential for effective medical coding practices.