ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for communicable disease contact
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to unspecified communicable disease
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Contact (with) › communicable disease”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding communicable disease contact
The ICD-10-CM code for communicable disease contact is Z20.9 (Contact with and (suspected) exposure to unspecified communicable disease). The official index lists 4 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on Z20.9.
Within Z20, choose Z20.9 (unspecified communicable disease) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: intestinal infectious diseases (Z20.0), tuberculosis (Z20.1), infections with a predominantly sexual mode of transmission (Z20.2), rabies (Z20.3), rubella (Z20.4), viral hepatitis (Z20.5), human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] (Z20.6), pediculosis, acariasis and other infestations (Z20.7) and 1 more.
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 795 (Normal Newborn, relative weight 0.2022) and DRG 951 (Other Factors Influencing Health Status, relative weight 0.5577), in MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period) and MDC 23 (Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific communicable disease contact codes (official index)
- bacterial NEC Z20.818 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other bacterial communicable diseases
- specified NEC Z20.89 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other communicable diseases
- viral NEC Z20.828 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases
- Zika virus Z20.821 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to Zika virus
Common questions about communicable disease contact ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for communicable disease contact?
- Z20.9 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to unspecified communicable disease. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: Z20.818, Z20.89, Z20.828, Z20.821.
What is the ICD-10 code for bacterial nec communicable disease contact?
- Z20.818 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other bacterial communicable diseases.
What is the ICD-10 code for viral nec communicable disease contact?
- Z20.828 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases.
What is the ICD-10 code for zika virus communicable disease contact?
- Z20.821 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to Zika virus.
Is Z20.9 billable?
- Yes. Z20.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can Z20.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- No. It is not acceptable as the principal diagnosis for an inpatient stay; it may be reported as a secondary diagnosis.
Is Z20.9 a CC or MCC?
- No. Z20.9 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.