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ICD-10 Coding for Contact with Tuberculosis Patient(Z20.1, Z11.1)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Contact with Tuberculosis Patient. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Exposure to TBTB Contact

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Contact with Tuberculosis Patient

Z20-Z29Primary Range

Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases

This range includes codes for contact with and exposure to communicable diseases, including tuberculosis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
Z20.1Contact with and (suspected) exposure to tuberculosisUse when documenting a patient's contact with a confirmed TB case.
  • Documented exposure to a confirmed TB case
  • Details of exposure setting and duration
Z11.1Encounter for screening for respiratory tuberculosisUse for encounters specifically for TB screening.
  • Reason for screening (e.g., employment, immigration)
  • Absence of symptoms of active TB

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for contact with tuberculosis patient

Essential facts and insights about Contact with Tuberculosis Patient

The ICD-10 code for contact with a tuberculosis patient is Z20.1, used as a secondary code to indicate exposure history.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for contact with tuberculosis patient

Contact with and (suspected) exposure to tuberculosis
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

documentation Criteria

  • Exposure to a confirmed TB case must be documented.

Applicable To

  • Exposure to tuberculosis

Excludes

  • Carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documented exposure to a confirmed TB case
  • Details of exposure setting and duration

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using as a principal diagnosis

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the exposure details and setting.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Encounter for screening for respiratory tuberculosis

Z11.1
Use as a primary code for TB screening encounters.

Contact with and (suspected) exposure to tuberculosis

Z20.1
Use as a secondary code to indicate exposure history.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Carrier of infectious disease

Z22.7
Use Z22.7 for known carriers of TB without recent exposure.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Contact with Tuberculosis Patient to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code Z20.1.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate follow-up care., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific language in documentation, Include exposure setting and duration

Impact

Reimbursement: Claims may be denied if Z20.1 is used incorrectly., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate data on TB exposure and screening.

Mitigation Strategy

Use Z11.1 as the principal code for screening encounters.

Impact

Using Z20.1 as a primary code can trigger audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Always pair Z20.1 with a primary screening code like Z11.1.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Contact with Tuberculosis Patient, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Contact with Tuberculosis Patient

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Contact with Tuberculosis Patient. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Occupational Health Screening

Specialty: Occupational Medicine

Required Elements

  • Exposure history
  • Symptom review
  • Test results

Example Documentation

REASON: Pre-employment TB screening. EXPOSURE HISTORY: Contact with TB case at workplace. SYMPTOM REVIEW: Negative for TB symptoms. TESTING: TST placed, return for reading.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Exposed to TB.
Good Documentation Example
Daily contact with TB+ coworker from 01/01/2025-01/31/2025. Asymptomatic.
Explanation
The good example provides specific exposure details and symptom status.

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