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ICD-10 Coding for History of Pneumonia(Z87.01, Z86.19)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for History of Pneumonia. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

H/O PneumoniaHistory of Recurrent PneumoniaHx of Pneumoniarecurrent pneumonia historyaspiration pneumonia history

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Pneumonia

Z87.01Primary Range

Personal history of diseases of the respiratory system

This range includes codes for documenting a history of recurrent pneumonia.

Personal history of other infectious and parasitic diseases

This range is used for documenting a history of a single episode of pneumonia.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
Z87.01Personal history of recurrent pneumoniaUse when documenting a patient's history of recurrent pneumonia episodes.
  • Documented multiple episodes of pneumonia
  • Past medical records showing treatment for pneumonia
  • Chest X-ray reports confirming past pneumonia
Z86.19Personal history of other infectious diseasesUse for a single past episode of pneumonia without recurrence.
  • Single documented episode of pneumonia
  • Discharge summary with pneumonia diagnosis

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 history of recurrent pneumonia

Essential facts and insights about History of Pneumonia

The ICD-10 code for a history of recurrent pneumonia is Z87.01, used for documenting multiple past episodes.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for history of pneumonia

Personal history of recurrent pneumonia
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

documentation Criteria

  • Document 'recurrent pneumonia' with dates and treatment history.

Applicable To

  • History of recurrent pneumonia

Excludes

  • Current pneumonia (J18.9)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documented multiple episodes of pneumonia
  • Past medical records showing treatment for pneumonia
  • Chest X-ray reports confirming past pneumonia

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using for a single past episode
  • Not specifying recurrence in documentation

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'recurrent' to use Z87.01.

Ancillary Codes

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

COPD with acute exacerbation

J44.1
Use alongside Z87.01 if the patient has COPD exacerbation with a history of recurrent pneumonia.

Differential Codes

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

Personal history of other infectious diseases

Z86.19
Use Z86.19 for a single past episode of pneumonia.

Personal history of recurrent pneumonia

Z87.01
Use Z87.01 for multiple past episodes of pneumonia.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Pneumonia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code Z87.01.

Impact

Clinical: Misleading patient history., Regulatory: Potential audit issues., Financial: Incorrect billing and reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document recurrence with specific details.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect reimbursement due to miscoding., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient history data.

Mitigation Strategy

Use Z86.19 for a single past episode.

Impact

Using Z87.01 for single episodes can lead to audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate staff on proper documentation of recurrence.

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 History of Pneumonia, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for History of Pneumonia

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for History of Pneumonia. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Patient with recurrent pneumonia history

Specialty: Pulmonology

Required Elements

  • Recurrent episodes
  • Dates of last occurrences
  • Treatment history

Example Documentation

Patient has a history of recurrent pneumonia, with episodes in March 2024, September 2024, and January 2025, treated with antibiotics.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Hx pneumonia
Good Documentation Example
Recurrent pneumonia episodes (3 in past year), last treated 02/2025 with ceftriaxone
Explanation
The good example specifies recurrence, dates, and treatment, providing complete documentation.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for History of Pneumonia? Ask your questions below.

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