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ICD-10 Coding for Work Physical(Z02.79)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Work Physical. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Pre-employment PhysicalOccupational Health Exam

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Work Physical

Z00-Z99Primary Range

Factors influencing health status and contact with health services

This range includes codes for encounters for administrative examinations, such as work physicals.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for work physical

Essential facts and insights about Work Physical

The ICD-10 code for a work physical is Z02.79, used for work status determination.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for work physical

Encounter for issue of other medical certificate
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

documentation Criteria

  • Document the specific job role and requirements.

Applicable To

  • Work status determination
  • Pre-employment physical

Excludes

  • General medical examination (Z00.0-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documentation of specific job requirements
  • Clearance status for employment

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect sequencing if used with injury codes

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the purpose of the exam and any job-specific assessments.

Ancillary Codes

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

Activity, repetitive motion

Y93.H1
Use when documenting repetitive motion tasks related to work.

Differential Codes

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

General adult medical examination without abnormal findings

Z00.00
Use Z00.00 for routine health checks not related to employment.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Work Physical to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code Z02.79.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate clearance decisions., Regulatory: Non-compliance with occupational health regulations., Financial: Potential claim denials due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use templates to ensure all required elements are documented., Review job descriptions prior to the exam.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to claim denials., Compliance: May result in non-compliance with coding standards., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of health records.

Mitigation Strategy

Use Z02.79 for work status determination and ensure proper documentation.

Impact

Failure to document job-specific assessments can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Use standardized templates and ensure all relevant details are captured.

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 Work Physical, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Work Physical

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Work Physical. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Pre-employment physical for a warehouse position

Specialty: Occupational Medicine

Required Elements

  • Employer request
  • Job-specific physical demands
  • Clearance status

Example Documentation

Employer: ABC Corp - Job ID: 12345. Essential Functions: Lifting 50 lbs repeatedly. Clearance: Cleared for duty with no restrictions.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient healthy, cleared for work.
Good Documentation Example
Patient demonstrates ability to perform essential job functions: Lift 40 lbs from floor to waist level ×10 reps. No contraindications identified for warehouse stocker position.
Explanation
The good example provides specific job-related assessments and clearance status.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Work Physical? Ask your questions below.

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