ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code Z20.6: Contact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]

Z20.6 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Contact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents contact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [hiv] in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
21Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
block
Z20-Z29Persons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases
category
Z20Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases
currentZ20

Official coding notes

Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]
  • HIV infection status (Z21)

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

General Physician

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 0527Uhigh
HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV) TYPES 1 AND 2 AND VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS (VZV), AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE, EACH PATHOGEN REPORTED AS DETECTED OR NOT DETECTED
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 0402Uhigh
INFECTIOUS AGENT (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION), CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS, NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE, TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS, MYCOPLASMA GENITALIUM, MULTIPLEX AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE, VAGINAL, ENDOCERVICAL, OR MALE URINE, EACH PATHOGEN REPORTED AS DETECTED OR NOT DETECTED
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 87801high
INFECTIOUS AGENT DETECTION BY NUCLEIC ACID (DNA OR RNA), MULTIPLE ORGANISMS; AMPLIFIED PROBE(S) TECHNIQUE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 87800high
INFECTIOUS AGENT DETECTION BY NUCLEIC ACID (DNA OR RNA), MULTIPLE ORGANISMS; DIRECT PROBE(S) TECHNIQUE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 87494high
INFECTIOUS AGENT DETECTION BY NUCLEIC ACID (DNA OR RNA); CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AND NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE, MULTIPLEX AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 0455Uhigh
INFECTIOUS AGENTS (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION), CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS, NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE, AND TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS, MULTIPLEX AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE, VAGINAL, ENDOCERVICAL, GYNECOLOGICAL SPECIMENS, OROPHARYNGEAL SWABS, RECTAL SWABS, FEMALE OR MALE URINE, EACH PATHOGEN REPORTED AS DETECTED OR NOT DETECTED
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
Z20.6

Common synonyms

Contact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]Contact with andContact with and suspected exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeZ20.6
SystemICD10
Display nameContact with and (suspected) exposure to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]
ChapterFactors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
BlockPersons with potential health hazards related to communicable diseases

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Contact(with)Contact(with)Contact(with)Contact(with)Exposure(to)Exposure(to)HumanHuman

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.