ICDcodes.org
FY2027

Z03.822Encounter for observation for suspected aspirated (inhaled) foreign body ruled out

Billable

Is Z03.822 billable?

Yes — Z03.822 is billable for FY2027. Z03.822 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. Z03.822 may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Z03.822 at a glance

CodeZ03.822
DescriptionEncounter for observation for suspected aspirated (inhaled) foreign body ruled out
BillableYes
Code setICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encountersOctober 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

What Medicare edits apply to Z03.822?

The Medicare Code Editor screens inpatient claims before they are grouped. These edits name Z03.822 directly.

Cannot be a principal diagnosis — MCE edit 9

CMS will reject this code as the principal diagnosis on an inpatient claim. It describes something other than the condition chiefly responsible for the admission.

Which MS-DRGs does Z03.822 group to?

Z03.822 sits in MDC 23 and helps define the logic of 1 MS-DRG (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.

  • 951Other Factors Influencing Health Statusmedical

How is Z03.822 listed in the Alphabetic Index?

These are the routes through the Alphabetic Index that lead to Z03.822. They show the wording a clinician may have documented, which often differs from the Tabular description.

  • Observationsuspected, ruled outforeign bodyaspirated (following) (for) (without need for further medical care)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from Z03

The conditions below can never be reported together with Z03.822 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

  • contact with and (suspected) exposures hazardous to health (Z77.-)
  • encounter for observation and evaluation of newborn for suspected diseases and conditions ruled out (Z05.-)
  • person with feared complaint in whom no diagnosis is made (Z71.1)
  • signs or symptoms under study- code to signs or symptoms

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from Z03.82

The conditions below can never be reported together with Z03.822 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

  • retained foreign body (Z18.-)
  • retained foreign body in eyelid (H02.81)
  • residual foreign body in soft tissue (M79.5)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Z00-Z13

The conditions below are not part of Z03.822, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, Z03.822 and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • examinations related to pregnancy and reproduction (Z30-Z36, Z39.-)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Z03.82

The conditions below are not part of Z03.822, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, Z03.822 and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • confirmed foreign body ingestion or aspiration including:
  • foreign body in alimentary tract (T18)
  • foreign body in ear (T16)
  • foreign body on external eye (T15)
  • foreign body in respiratory tract (T17)

How long has Z03.822 existed?

Z03.822 first appears in FY2021 (FY2020 is not available, so it may have appeared then).

Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.

Which conditions are coded to Z03.822?

What other codes are in the Z03.82 family? (2)