COVID-19 ICD-10 code
The ICD-10-CM code for COVID-19 is U07.1 (covid-19). It is billable and valid for submission on a claim. There are 13 related codes, and which one you use depends on what the documentation supports.
Also written as coronavirus, sars-cov-2.
The mistake coders make here
U07.1 is for a confirmed, active case. Post-COVID conditions are U09.9, and a personal history of COVID with no current infection is Z86.16. Coding U07.1 for a resolved case is wrong.
Putting COVID-19 on a claim? Check the claim’s diagnosis codes free: Excludes1 conflicts, header codes and missing seventh characters, before it goes out.
ICD-10-CM codes for COVID-19
11 of 13 are billable. Green means you can submit it as-is.
| Code | Use it when |
|---|---|
| U07.1 | COVID-19 |
| Z86.16 | Personal history of COVID-19 |
| U09.9 | Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified |
| Z28.310 | Unvaccinated for COVID-19 |
| U09 | Post COVID-19 conditionnot billable on its own |
| Z28.311 | Partially vaccinated for COVID-19 |
| Z11.52 | Encounter for screening for COVID-19 |
| Z28.31 | Underimmunization for COVID-19 statusnot billable on its own |
| Z20.822 | Contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19 |
| D68.8 | Other specified coagulation defects |
| J12.82 | Pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019 |
| D65 | Disseminated intravascular coagulation [defibrination syndrome] |
| D68.69 | Other thrombophilia |
Once you have the code
- Check the whole claim: Excludes1 conflicts and missing seventh characters, free
- Denial codes explained: what CO-16, CO-97 and the rest actually mean
- Decision guides: walk a chart note to a code, guideline cited
- Everything here that is free, and the one thing no free tool includes
U07.1 on the provider's word, and never for 'suspected'
Guideline I.C.1.g.1 says to code U07.1 only for a confirmed diagnosis as documented by the provider: a positive test is not required, and a positive test without a provider diagnosis is a query, not a code. The uncertain-diagnosis rule that normally applies to inpatient discharges does not apply here: 'suspected', 'possible' or 'probable' COVID-19 is never U07.1 in any setting. Code the symptoms (R05.- cough, R50.9 fever, R06.02 shortness of breath) plus Z20.822, contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19. An asymptomatic patient who tests positive is U07.1.
Sequencing and the manifestations
When COVID-19 meets the definition of principal diagnosis, U07.1 is sequenced first and the manifestations follow: J12.82 for pneumonia due to COVID-19 (added FY2021), J80 for ARDS, J96.0- for acute respiratory failure, and the sepsis codes when documented. When the admission is for something else (a hip fracture, a delivery), that condition is principal and U07.1 is secondary; in pregnancy it is O98.5- first with U07.1 second. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome is M35.81 with U07.1 (or U09.9 when it follows a resolved infection).
After the infection: history, post-COVID condition and screening
Z86.16, personal history of COVID-19, is for a resolved infection with no ongoing effects. U09.9, post COVID-19 condition unspecified, is for documented sequelae, and it is sequenced after the code for the actual condition (chronic fatigue, dyspnoea, loss of smell), never alone as the reason for the encounter. Z11.52 is screening for COVID-19, appropriate for asymptomatic pre-procedure testing; Z20.822 is for a known or suspected exposure. Immunization is Z23, and Z28.310 and Z28.311 record unvaccinated and partially vaccinated status.
Common questions
- What is the ICD-10 code for COVID-19?
- U07.1, COVID-19, for a diagnosis confirmed by the provider. It is sequenced first when it is the reason for the encounter, with manifestations such as J12.82 (COVID-19 pneumonia) following.
- How do I code suspected COVID-19 that is not confirmed?
- Do not use U07.1 in any setting. Code the presenting symptoms and Z20.822 for contact with and suspected exposure to COVID-19. This is an explicit exception to the inpatient uncertain-diagnosis rule.
- What is the ICD-10 code for long COVID?
- U09.9, post COVID-19 condition, unspecified, coded after the code for the specific ongoing condition (for example R53.83 for fatigue or R06.02 for shortness of breath). Z86.16 is for a resolved infection with no sequelae.