Question 1

What is ICD-10 code Z87.891?

Accepted Answer

Z87.891 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for personal history of nicotine dependence. A patient's past medical history of nicotine addiction or dependence that is no longer active. Z87.891 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for factors influencing health status and contact with health services (z00-z99), within the section covering persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status (z77-z99).

Z87.891 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.

This code indicates past nicotine dependence; use Z72.0 for current tobacco use.

Question 2

Is Z87.891 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. Z87.891 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any payment HCC category under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can still be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions, but it does not contribute to the beneficiary's Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) score and therefore does not affect the risk-adjusted capitation payment to the plan. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026.

Question 3

Is Z87.891 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Z87.891 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be reported on professional and institutional claims as a primary or secondary diagnosis when the provider documentation supports the specific condition described. Billable codes in ICD-10-CM are coded to the highest level of specificity available for the documented diagnosis. Z87.891 is current for fiscal year 2026 and remains in the active CMS ICD-10-CM code set published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Question 4

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for Z87.891?

Accepted Answer

Z87.891 does not map to a payment HCC under either the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model or the older V24 model. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition. Because neither model rewards Z87.891 with a risk adjustment factor, it contributes zero to a Medicare Advantage beneficiary's RAF score in either version. Coders should check whether provider documentation supports a more specific child code that does map to a payment HCC.

Question 5

What should coders know when reporting Z87.891?

Accepted Answer

This code indicates past nicotine dependence; use Z72.0 for current tobacco use Document the duration and type of nicotine use (cigarettes, vaping, etc.) when available

HCC Buddy Code Card

Z87.891

Is Z87.891 an HCC code?

What This Code Means

Coding Tips

Excludes 1, Do NOT code together

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

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Z87.891 ICD-10-CM Code: Personal history of nicotine dependence

HCC Buddy Code Card

Z87.891

Is Z87.891 an HCC code?

What This Code Means

Coding Tips

Excludes 1, Do NOT code together

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Work Z87.891 in HCC Buddy