2025 ICD-10-CM code Z38.1
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Factors influencing health status and contact with health services - Persons encountering health services in circumstances related to reproduction Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services Feed
This code classifies a singleton liveborn infant born outside of a hospital setting.
Modifiers are not typically used with ICD-10 codes, including Z38.1.
Medical necessity for code Z38.1 is inherent in the documentation of the birth itself.It simply records the location and does not represent a medical intervention.However, if procedures were conducted during the birth, their medical necessity would need to be appropriately documented.
The clinical responsibility for code Z38.1 falls on the healthcare provider(s) attending the birth, whether a physician, midwife, or other qualified professional.Their responsibility includes ensuring the safe delivery of the infant and appropriate postpartum care for the mother, depending on the circumstances.This may encompass prenatal monitoring, intrapartum management, and immediate postnatal care.
- Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
- Z30-Z39: Persons encountering health services in circumstances related to reproduction
In simple words: This code is used for a baby born outside a hospital, such as at home or in a birthing center.It simply notes where the baby was born, not why.
ICD-10-CM code Z38.1, "Singleton, born outside hospital," is used to classify a single liveborn infant delivered outside the confines of a hospital.This code is applied when the birth occurs in a non-hospital location, such as at home, in a birthing center, or during transport.The code does not reflect the circumstances surrounding the birth, only the location.It's a Z code, indicating an encounter for a reason other than a disease or injury.A procedure code should accompany Z38.1 if any procedures were performed.
Example 1: A healthy baby is delivered at home by a midwife.Code Z38.1 is applied., A baby is born in an ambulance en route to the hospital. Z38.1 is appropriate., Unexpected home birth requiring emergency medical intervention. Z38.1 is used along with procedure codes for any interventions performed.
Documentation should include details about the location of birth, the attending healthcare provider(s), the date and time of birth, and the infant's condition at birth.If any complications occurred, these should also be thoroughly documented.
** While Z38.1 simply documents the location of birth, it's crucial for accurate billing and record-keeping.It allows for tracking of births occurring outside traditional hospital settings and may be important for epidemiological studies or public health data analysis.Always pair with appropriate procedure codes if any intervention is performed.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Specialties:Obstetrics, Midwifery
- Place of Service:Home, Birthing Center, Ambulance