Z79.52
Long term (current) use of systemic steroids
Z79.52 (also written Z7952) is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for long term (current) use of systemic steroids. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. It is one of the 32 codes in category Z79 (Long term (current) drug therapy). The Alphabetic Index lists it under 2 entries. Its coding notes include a Code also instruction and 2 Excludes2 entries.
Code also
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition. This note gives no sequencing order.
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
- any follow-up examination (Z08-Z09)
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Care settings
How CMS programs treat this code. These are CMS claim edits and list entries, not coverage or eligibility rules.
Hospice: not accepted as primary
Not accepted as the principal diagnosis on a hospice claim (bill types 081x and 082x). The Integrated OCE returns an edit for this code.
Reason: Supplementary or additional code, not allowed as principal diagnosis.
Includes
Further defines or gives examples of the content of the category.
- long term (current) drug use for prophylactic purposes
Notes
Also from chapter/block level (3 notes)
- 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:
- (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.
- (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.
Alphabetic Index terms
Terms the official Alphabetic Index lists for this code. 2 entries