FY2027 ICD-10-CM reference
Z79: Long term (current) drug therapy
By the HCC Buddy Coding Team
The official ICD-10-CM descriptor is Long term (current) drug therapy. The FY2027 annual edition starts October 1, 2026. Check the edition that applies to the encounter or inpatient discharge, including any April update.
Nonbillable heading. Verified against the official FY2027 order file.
CMS-HCC V28
Not applicable to this nonbillable heading
CMS-HCC V24
Not applicable to this nonbillable heading
ESRD
Not applicable to this nonbillable heading
PACE
Not applicable to this nonbillable heading
RxHCC
Not applicable to this nonbillable heading
HHS-HCC
Not applicable to this nonbillable heading
More specific FY2027 codes
- Z79.0: Long term (current) use of anticoagulants and antithrombotics/antiplateletsNonbillable heading
- Z79.1: Long term (current) use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID)Billable code
- Z79.2: Long term (current) use of antibioticsBillable code
- Z79.3: Long term (current) use of hormonal contraceptivesBillable code
- Z79.4: Long term (current) use of insulinBillable code
- Z79.5: Long term (current) use of steroidsNonbillable heading
- Z79.6: Long term (current) use of immunomodulators and immunosuppressantsNonbillable heading
- Z79.8: Other long term (current) drug therapyNonbillable heading
FY2027 Tabular instructions
Instructions below include applicable chapter, section and parent-code notes. Each note identifies where it appears in the official source.
Instructional note
Z codes represent reasons for encounters. A corresponding procedure code must accompany a Z code if a procedure is performed. Categories Z00-Z99 are provided for occasions when circumstances other than a disease, injury or external cause classifiable to categories A00-Y89 are recorded as 'diagnoses' or 'problems'. This can arise in two main ways:
Source: Z00-Z99 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
(a) When a person who may or may not be sick encounters the health services for some specific purpose, such as to receive limited care or service for a current condition, to donate an organ or tissue, to receive prophylactic vaccination (immunization), or to discuss a problem which is in itself not a disease or injury.
Source: Z00-Z99 (chapter, inherited).
Instructional note
(b) When some circumstance or problem is present which influences the person's health status but is not in itself a current illness or injury.
Source: Z00-Z99 (chapter, inherited).
Code also
any follow-up examination (Z08-Z09)
Source: Z77-Z99 (section, inherited).
Includes
long term (current) drug use for prophylactic purposes
Source: Z79 (category, direct).
Code also
any therapeutic drug level monitoring (Z51.81)
Source: Z79 (category, direct).
Excludes2
drug abuse and dependence (F11-F19)
Source: Z79 (category, direct).
Excludes2
drug use complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (O99.32-)
Source: Z79 (category, direct).
Compare the FY2027 additions, removals and billable-status changes
What does Z79 mean in FY2027?
The official ICD-10-CM descriptor is Long term (current) drug therapy. The FY2027 annual edition starts October 1, 2026. Check the edition that applies to the encounter or inpatient discharge, including any April update.
Is Z79 billable in FY2027?
The FY2027 order file marks Z79 as a nonbillable heading. Select a complete billable child code.
Does Z79 map to an HCC?
Risk-model mapping is not applicable to this nonbillable heading. Check a complete billable child code.
Source: CMS FY2027 ICD-10-CM order file. Payment model: CMS CY 2027 Rate Announcement. Read the FY2027 Official Guidelines.
Review the FY2026 April edition