Z04.72 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child physical abuse

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applicable to

• Suspected child physical abuse, ruled out

Excludes1 (never code together)

• confirmed case of child physical abuse (T74.-)
• encounter for examination and observation following alleged child sexual abuse (Z04.42)
• suspected case of child physical abuse, not ruled out (T76.-)

Applies from Z04 Encounter for examination and observation for other reasons

Includes

• encounter for examination for medicolegal reasons
• This category is to be used when a person without a diagnosis is suspected of having an abnormal condition, without signs or symptoms, which requires study, but after examination and observation, is ruled-out. This category is also for use for administrative and legal observation status.

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 951 in MDC 23.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• V71.81 Observation and evaluation for suspected abuse and neglect (approximate)

Medicare Code Edits (MCE v43.1 (April 2026))

• Pediatric diagnoses (age 0 through 17): Age conflict edit. These diagnoses are clinically expected only in patients age 0 through 17.

Code annotations containing back-references to Z04.72

Back-references to Z04.72

• Type 1 Excludes: T76 Adult and child abuse, neglect and other maltreatment, suspected ("suspected child physical abuse, ruled out (Z04.72)")
• Type 2 Excludes: Z02.84 Encounter for child welfare exam ("encounter for examination and observation for alleged child physical abuse (Z04.72)")

Back-references to Z04.7

• Type 1 Excludes: T76.2 Sexual abuse, suspected ("alleged abuse, ruled out (Z04.7)")

Diagnosis Index entries for Z04.72

• Examination (for) (following) (general) (of) (routine) › abuse, physical (alleged), ruled out › child
• Examination (for) (following) (general) (of) (routine) › following › assault, alleged, ruled out › child
• Observation (following) (for) (without need for further medical care) › suspected, ruled out › abuse, physical › child
• Observation (following) (for) (without need for further medical care) › suspected, ruled out › child battering victim

Nearby codes

• Z04.41 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged adult rape
• Z04.42 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child rape
• Z04.6 Encounter for general psychiatric examination, requested by authority
• Z04.7 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged physical abuse
• Z04.71 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged adult physical abuse
• Z04.72 Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child physical abuse (this code)
• Z04.8 Encounter for examination and observation for other specified reasons
• Z04.81 Encounter for examination and observation of victim following forced sexual exploitation
• Z04.82 Encounter for examination and observation of victim following forced labor exploitation
• Z04.89 Encounter for examination and observation for other specified reasons
• Z04.9 Encounter for examination and observation for unspecified reason