Z43.9 Encounter for attention to unspecified artificial opening
Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Exempt from present-on-admission (POA) reporting.
Applies from Z43 Encounter for attention to artificial openings
Includes
closure of artificial openings
passage of sounds or bougies through artificial openings
reforming artificial openings
removal of catheter from artificial openings
toilet or cleansing of artificial openings
Excludes1 (never code together)
complications of external stoma (J95.0-, K94.-, N99.5-)
Excludes2 (not included here)
fitting and adjustment of prosthetic and other devices (Z44-Z46)
Risk adjustment (HCC)
CMS-HCC V28: HCC 463 — Artificial Openings for Feeding or Elimination
CMS-HCC V22: HCC 188 — Artificial Openings for Feeding or Elimination
ESRD V24: HCC 188
MS-DRG index
Defines the logic of DRG(s) 951 in MDC 23.
Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)
V55.9 Attention to unspecified artificial opening
Medicare Code Edits (MCE v43.1 (April 2026))
Unacceptable principal diagnosis: These codes describe a circumstance which influences care but is not a current illness or injury, or capture only an underlying condition, and are unacceptable as principal diagnosis.
Code annotations containing back-references to Z43.9
Back-references to Z43
Type 1 Excludes: Z08 Encounter for follow-up examination after completed treatment for malignant neoplasm ("aftercare following medical care (Z43-Z49, Z51)")
Type 1 Excludes: Z09 Encounter for follow-up examination after completed treatment for conditions other than malignant neoplasm ("aftercare following medical care (Z43-Z49, Z51)")
Type 2 Excludes: Z48 Encounter for other postprocedural aftercare ("encounter for attention to artificial openings (Z43.-)")
Type 1 Excludes: Z93 Artificial opening status ("artificial openings requiring attention or management (Z43.-)")
Type 2 Excludes: Z98 Other postprocedural states ("aftercare (Z43-Z49, Z51)")
Diagnosis Index entries for Z43.9
Admission (for) › attention to artificial opening (of)
Attention (to) › artificial › opening (of)
Nearby codes
Z43.4 Encounter for attention to other artificial openings of digestive tract