2025 ICD-10-CM code Z77.118
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Factors influencing health status and contact with health services - Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status (Z77-Z99) Z Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99) Feed
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution.
Medical necessity for using this code is established by the presence of a potential health hazard related to environmental pollution. The documentation should support the suspected exposure and any associated health concerns.
Clinicians should document the specific type of environmental pollution encountered, the source of exposure if known, and any related signs or symptoms. Follow-up examinations may be necessary.
- Z Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
- Z77 - Other contact with and (suspected) exposures hazardous to health
In simple words: This code is used when someone has been in contact with or possibly exposed to some type of environmental pollution, like pollution in the environment that isn't specifically named in other, more specific codes.
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution. This code includes contact with and suspected exposure to environmental pollutants not otherwise specified, such as chemical spills, industrial emissions, or contaminated land.
Example 1: A patient presents to the clinic with concerns about possible exposure to chemical fumes from a recent industrial accident near their home. They report mild respiratory irritation. The clinician documents the exposure using Z77.118., A child is brought to the emergency room after playing in a vacant lot suspected of containing contaminated soil.Although asymptomatic, the parents are concerned about potential exposure. The clinician uses Z77.118 to document the potential exposure., A group of individuals present to the clinic following a large chemical spill in their community. They report various symptoms, including nausea, headaches, and skin irritation. The clinician uses Z77.118 to document the exposure while further investigation into the specific pollutants occurs.
Document the type of environmental pollution, source of exposure, signs, symptoms, and any diagnostic testing performed.
** This code is exempt from the Present on Admission (POA) reporting requirement.
- Specialties:Primary care, emergency medicine, occupational medicine, environmental health
- Place of Service:Office, Home, Emergency Room - Hospital, Outpatient Hospital,Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home, Public Health Clinic, Other Place of Service