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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

Z16.3Resistance to other antimicrobial drugs

Not billable — use a more specific code

Z16.3 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 7 more specific codes beneath it.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About Z16.3

Z16.3 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for resistance to other antimicrobial drugs. It belongs to category Z16 (resistance to antimicrobial drugs), block Z16 (resistance to antimicrobial drugs) and chapter 21 (factors influencing health status and contact with health services). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 7 subcodes must be used instead.

Within Z16, choose Z16.3 (other antimicrobial drugs) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: beta lactam antibiotics (Z16.1) and other antibiotics (Z16.2).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: Z16.30 (drugs), Z16.31 (drug(s)), Z16.32 (drug(s)), Z16.33 (drug(s)), Z16.34 (drug(s)), Z16.35 (drugs) and Z16.39 (drug).

Don't report Z16.3 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: resistance to antibiotics (Z16.1-, Z16.2-).

Code first: the infection.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Specific codes under Z16.3

Coding notes

Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to Z16.3.

› From Z16 Resistance to antimicrobial drugs
Note
  • The codes in this category are provided for use as additional codes to identify the resistance and non-responsiveness of a condition to antimicrobial drugs.
Excludes1
  • Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (A49.02)
  • Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (J15.212)
  • Sepsis due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (A41.02)
Code first
  • the infection

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about Z16.3

Is Z16.3 billable?

No. Z16.3 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.