Three new COVID-19 codes were proposed for a January 2021 implementation during a Sept. 9 virtual ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting.
 
These codes are proposed to improve specificity when capturing COVID-19 screening, exposure, and personal history.
 
The new proposed codes are:
  • For screening — Z11.52 (Encounter for screening for COVID-19)
  • For exposure — Z20.822 (Contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19) Note: Inclusion term, “Contact with and (suspected) exposure to SARS-CoV-2” is also proposed
  • For personal history — Z86.16 (Personal history of COVID-19)
Several listeners on the call expressed their support for the possible implementation of these codes.
 
“COVID-19 caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 is a significant public health issue, and multiple requests for related codes have been received,” the proposal states.
 
The addition of an instruction note under “infections” in the index is also proposed to include, “Contact with and (suspected) exposure to SARS-CoV-2
 
Comments on this proposal are due by Oct. 9 and should be sent to nchsicd10CM@cdc.gov. To view the proposal, visit https://bit.ly/3bIlDPV.