ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

Z55Problems related to education and literacy

Not billable — use a more specific code

Z55 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 9 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 Z55

Z55 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for problems related to education and literacy. It belongs to block Z55-Z65 (persons with potential health hazards related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances) 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 9 subcodes must be used instead.

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: Z55.0 (literacy), Z55.1 (unattainable), Z55.2 (examinations), Z55.3 (school), Z55.4 (classmates), Z55.5 (diploma), Z55.6 (literacy), Z55.8 (literacy) and 1 more.

Don't report Z55 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: disorders of psychological development (F80-F89).

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 Z55

Coding notes

Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code

disorders of psychological development (F80-F89)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to Z55.

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

Codes whose notes reference Z55

Z72Excludes2
Z73Excludes2

Code history

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about Z55

Is Z55 billable?: No. Z55 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.