Wiki COVID-19 Z CODES

[kvegter]

I need some clarification on the guidance for Z20.828. Example: Patient presents with a cough and the provider does not order or perform a COVID-19 test. Does the provider need to document suspected COVID-19 in order to assign codes for the cough and Z20.828?

 

[Sykesville1]

I need some clarification on the guidance for Z20.828. Example: Patient presents with a cough and the provider does not order or perform a COVID-19 test. Does the provider need to document suspected COVID-19 in order to assign codes for the cough and Z20.828?

Only code what the physician documented: for this case code cough only COUGH R05, the physician would have to document a suspected ruled out condition for suspected COVID in order to code Z30.818 Encounter for observation for suspected exposure to other biological agents ruled out OR Z20.828 Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases. Is there any documentation in chart notes that the patient was exposed to a person with known COVID?
Please review Official Coding Guidelines, effective April 1, 2020