Z16

Non-billable

Resistance to antimicrobial drugs

Z16 is the ICD-10-CM code for Resistance to antimicrobial drugs. It is a non-billable category code — use a more specific child code such as Z16.1 for billing.

Status
Header (non-billable)
Chapter
Z00-Z99
Subcodes
3
Edition
FY2026

Z00-Z99 Factors influencing health status and contact with health services

What this means — in plain language

MedlinePlus · NIH

What are antibiotics? Antibiotics are medicines that treat bacterial infections in humans and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. When used properly, antibiotics can save lives. But there is a growing problem of antibiotic resistance. What is antibiotic resistance? Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change and can resist the effects of an…

Read more about Antibiotic Resistance at MedlinePlus ↗

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Informational only — not medical advice.

Excludes1 — not coded here

  • 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

Notes

  • 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.

Conditions mapped to this code

MedlinePlus · NIH

Plain-language health-topic references grounded in MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM).

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code Z16?
Z16 is the ICD-10-CM code for "Resistance to antimicrobial drugs". It falls under Z00-Z99 Factors influencing health status and contact with health services.
Is Z16 a billable code?
No — Z16 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code (such as Z16.1) for billing.
What are the subcodes of Z16?
Z16 has 3 more specific child codes, including Z16.1, Z16.2, Z16.3.
What is excluded from Z16?
Excludes1 (not coded here): Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (A49.02); Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (J15.212); Sepsis due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (A41.02).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM FY2026. For informational purposes only — not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.

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