2025 ICD-10-CM code Z51.6
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Factors influencing health status and contact with health services - Encounters for other specific health care Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services Feed
Encounter for desensitization to allergens.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the visit and the services rendered.Refer to the most current CPT modifier guidelines.
Allergen immunotherapy is medically necessary for patients with moderate to severe allergic conditions that significantly impact their quality of life. The decision to pursue desensitization should be made after proper diagnosis and evaluation by an allergist. The treatment plan must be carefully documented to justify medical necessity.
Allergies and immunology specialists, primary care physicians, or other healthcare providers administering allergy immunotherapy.
- Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
- Z51-Z53: Encounters for other specific health care
In simple words: This code is used when someone goes to the doctor for allergy shots or other treatments to lessen their allergies. It's for the visit itself, not for the allergy itself, which needs a separate code.
This ICD-10-CM code signifies an encounter for desensitization to allergens.It indicates a patient's visit to a healthcare provider for the purpose of allergen immunotherapy, a process aimed at reducing allergic reactions to specific allergens.This code is used to record the reason for the visit, not the allergy itself, which requires a separate code.A procedure code should accompany this code if a procedure such as an injection was performed during the encounter.
Example 1: A patient with a known allergy to pollen undergoes a series of allergy shots. Code Z51.6 is used to represent the encounter for allergy desensitization. Additional codes would specify the pollen allergy and the administered procedure (e.g., injection codes)., A patient with severe peanut allergy receives sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) drops during a scheduled appointment.Code Z51.6 is used along with additional codes for the specific allergy (peanut allergy) and the method of administration (SLIT). , A patient visits the allergist for a follow up appointment for allergy desensitization treatment where skin prick tests were performed.This encounter would utilize code Z51.6, alongside codes representing the allergy and test(s) conducted.
* Patient's medical history indicating the specific allergen(s) they are being desensitized to.* Details of the desensitization treatment administered, such as type of allergen extract, route of administration (e.g., subcutaneous injection, sublingual), and dosage.* Documentation of any reactions or adverse effects during the treatment.*Date and time of the encounter.
** This code is used only to indicate the reason for the encounter.The specific allergen, and any related procedures must be documented with appropriate codes.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.Z51.6 is a diagnosis code, not a procedure code.
- Specialties:Allergy and Immunology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital, Clinic