Z16 Resistance to antimicrobial drugs

The ICD-10-CM code for Resistance to antimicrobial drugs is Z16 (FY2026). It is a non-billable category code — select a more specific code below for claims.

Classification

Chapter

21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)

Section

Z16: Resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16)

Category Z16

24 codes (19 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Official Coding Guidelines

Assign Z16 for antimicrobial resistance if not identified by infection code

c. Infections resistant to antibiotics Many bacterial infections are resistant to current antibiotics. It is necessary to identify all infections documented as antibiotic resistant. Assign a code from category Z16, Resistance to antimicrobial drugs, following the infection code only if the infection code does not identify drug resistance.

Z16: sequence infection code first

Z16 Resistance to antimicrobial drugs This category indicates that a patient has a condition that is resistant to antimicrobial drug treatment. Sequence the infection code first.

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool