Z87.891 – Personal history of nicotine dependence
The ICD-10-CM code Z87.891 signifies a history of nicotine dependence. This guide covers clinical details, billability, FAQs, and related codes.
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Z87.891 Diagnosis Code: Personal history of nicotine dependence
The Z87.891 is an ICD code that’s included in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM, for short), and it is used to designate “Personal history of nicotine dependence.”
This particular diagnosis code is one of the many codes designated as Unacceptable Principal Diagnoses. The reason for this is that this code doesn’t exactly point to a specific problem. It’s simply to say that a patient has a history of nicotine dependence. If the patient is dealing with a more specific problem, it’s best to use that code instead because it points to an actual problem.
Is the Z87.891 billable?
Yes, the Z87.891 ICD-10 code is billable and can be used to designate a patient for reimbursement purposes.
Z87.891 clinical information
Let’s expand on this ICD-10 code a bit because you might find it strange that such a diagnosis code exists when it’s not even acceptable as a principal diagnosis.
There are other ICD-10 codes for nicotine dependence, all under the F17 umbrella. Those are specific for diagnosing nicotine dependence, which is an actual problem.
So, what’s the use of Personal history of nicotine dependence?
This ICD-10 code is only used when healthcare providers have surmised that a patient’s past nicotine dependence has impacted them by contributing to whatever disease, complication, or chronic disease they are currently dealing with, but the problem hasn’t been identified. Given that, you can’t really call this a diagnosis, right? Instead, it should be used as a descriptor so other healthcare professionals and providers know that their history of nicotine dependence plays a role in what the patient is dealing with. Once the specific problem has been identified, they should use a more specific diagnosis code.
Z87.891 synonyms include:
- Ex-cigar smoker
- Ex-cigarette smoker
- Ex-cigarette smoker amount unknown
- Ex-heavy cigarette smoker
- Ex-light cigarette smoker
- Ex-moderate cigarette smoker
- Ex-pipe smoker
- Ex-smoker
- Ex-smoker for less than 1 year
- Ex-smoker for more than 1 year
- Ex-snuff user
- Ex-tobacco chewer
- Ex-tobacco user
- Ex-user of moist powdered tobacco
- Ex-very heavy cigarette smoker
Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for nicotine dependence:
- F17.2 - Nicotine dependence
- F17.20 - Nicotine dependence, unspecified
- F17.200 - Nicotine dependence, unspecified, uncomplicated
- F17.201 - Nicotine dependence, unspecified, in remission
- F17.203 - Nicotine dependence unspecified, with withdrawal
- F17.208 - Nicotine dependence, unspecified, with other nicotine-induced disorders
- F17.209 - Nicotine dependence, unspecified, with unspecified nicotine-induced disorders
- F17.219 - Nicotine dependence, cigarettes, with unspecified nicotine-induced disorders
- F17.229 - Nicotine dependence, chewing tobacco, with unspecified nicotine-induced disorders
- F17.299 - Nicotine dependence, other tobacco product, with unspecified nicotine-induced disorders
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Commonly asked questions
Yes, this ICD-10 code is billable.
You use it when you have confirmed that a patient’s part history of nicotine dependence is impacting the patient’s current condition.
That will depend on the specific condition the patient is dealing with. Since nicotine dependence (past or present) is involved, then making the change to not smoke might help.
