Z03.821 – Encounter for observation for suspected ingested foreign body ruled out

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Persons encountering health services for examinations

Billable code

ICD-10-CM code Z03.821

Code: Z03.821 (claims format: Z03821)
Description: Encounter for observation for suspected ingested foreign body ruled out
Short description: Enctr for observation for suspected ingested fb ruled out
Billable: Yes – valid for HIPAA-covered transactions
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 21. Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
Block: Z00-Z13 Persons encountering health services for examinations
Parent codes: Z03 › Z03.8 › Z03.82

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

Z03 – Encounter for medical observation for suspected diseases and conditions ruled out

Applicable to:

This category is to be used when a person without a diagnosis is suspected of having an abnormal condition, without signs or symptoms, which requires study, but after examination and observation, is ruled out. This category is also for use for administrative and legal observation status.

Excludes1 (not coded here):

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

Z03.82 – Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out

Excludes1 (not coded here):

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

Excludes2 (not included here):

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)

Block Z00-Z13

Excludes2 (not included here):

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

Notes:

Nonspecific abnormal findings disclosed at the time of these examinations are classified to categories R70-R94.

Index terms for Z03.821

Entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index that lead to this code:

Observation, suspected, ruled out, foreign body, ingested

Related codes in Z03.82

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code Z03.821?

Z03.821 is the ICD-10-CM code for encounter for observation for suspected ingested foreign body ruled out, in the block Z00-Z13 (Persons encountering health services for examinations).

Is Z03.821 a billable code?

Yes. Z03.821 is a billable/specific code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What category does Z03.821 belong to?

It belongs to category Z03 – Encounter for medical observation for suspected diseases and conditions ruled out.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.