Z53.20 Procedure and treatment not carried out because of patient's decision for unspecified reasons

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 795 in MDC 15.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• V64.06 Vaccination not carried out because of patient refusal (approximate)
• V64.2 Surgical or other procedure not carried out because of patient's decision (approximate)

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.

Diagnosis Index entries for Z53.20

• Canceled procedure (surgical) › because of › patient's decision
• Procedure (surgical) › not done › because of › patient's decision
• Refusal of › treatment (because of)

Nearby codes

• Z53.0 Procedure and treatment not carried out because of contraindication
• Z53.01 Procedure and treatment not carried out due to patient smoking
• Z53.09 Procedure and treatment not carried out because of other contraindication
• Z53.1 Procedure and treatment not carried out because of patient's decision for reasons of belief and group pressure
• Z53.2 Procedure and treatment not carried out because of patient's decision for other and unspecified reasons
• Z53.20 Procedure and treatment not carried out because of patient's decision for unspecified reasons (this code)
• Z53.21 Procedure and treatment not carried out due to patient leaving prior to being seen by health care provider
• Z53.29 Procedure and treatment not carried out because of patient's decision for other reasons
• Z53.3 Procedure converted to open procedure
• Z53.31 Laparoscopic surgical procedure converted to open procedure
• Z53.32 Thoracoscopic surgical procedure converted to open procedure