Z38.8 — Other multiple liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth
Is Z38.8 billable?
Yes, but Z38.8 is an unspecified code. Z38.8 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, Z38.8 is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting Z38.8 — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
- Z38.0Single liveborn infant, born in hospitalnot billable
- Z38.1Single liveborn infant, born outside hospital
- Z38.3Twin liveborn infant, born in hospitalnot billable
- Z38.4Twin liveborn infant, born outside hospital
- Z38.6Other multiple liveborn infant, born in hospitalnot billable
- Z38.7Other multiple liveborn infant, born outside hospital
Z38.8 at a glance
| Code | Z38.8 |
|---|---|
| Description | Other multiple liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Which MS-DRGs does Z38.8 group to?
Z38.8 sits in MDC 15 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.
- 795Normal Newbornmedical
How is Z38.8 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
These are the routes through the Alphabetic Index that lead to Z38.8. They show the wording a clinician may have documented, which often differs from the Tabular description.
- Newborn › multiple born NEC (infant) (liveborn) (singleton)
- Newborn › quadruplet (infant) (liveborn) (singleton)
- Newborn › quintuplet (infant) (liveborn) (singleton)
- Newborn › triplet (infant) (liveborn) (singleton)
- Infant › liveborn › multiple NEC (s)
- Infant › liveborn › quadruplet (s)
- Infant › liveborn › quintuplet (s)
- Infant › liveborn › triplet (s)
How long has Z38.8 existed?
Z38.8 has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
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 Z38.8?
What other codes are in the Z38 family? (8)
- Z38.0Single liveborn infant, born in hospitalnot billable
- Z38.1Single liveborn infant, born outside hospital
- Z38.2Single liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth
- Z38.3Twin liveborn infant, born in hospitalnot billable
- Z38.4Twin liveborn infant, born outside hospital
- Z38.5Twin liveborn infant, unspecified as to place of birth
- Z38.6Other multiple liveborn infant, born in hospitalnot billable
- Z38.7Other multiple liveborn infant, born outside hospital