Z71.41 Alcohol abuse counseling and surveillance of alcoholic

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Exempt from present-on-admission (POA) reporting.

Applies from Z71 Persons encountering health services for other counseling and medical advice, not elsewhere classified

Excludes2 (not included here)

• contraceptive or procreation counseling (Z30-Z31)
• sex counseling (Z70.-)

Applies from Z71.4 Alcohol abuse counseling and surveillance

Use additional code

• code for alcohol abuse or dependence (F10.-)

MS-DRG index

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

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• V65.42 Counseling on substance use and abuse (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 Z71.41

• Abuse › alcohol (non-dependent) › counseling and surveillance
• Alcohol, alcoholic, alcohol-induced › counseling and surveillance
• Counseling (for) › alcohol abuser
• Counseling (for) › substance abuse › alcohol
• Dependence (on) (syndrome) › alcohol (ethyl) (methyl) (without remission) › counseling and surveillance
• Surveillance (of) (for) › alcohol abuse

Nearby codes

• Z71.0 Person encountering health services to consult on behalf of another person
• Z71.1 Person with feared health complaint in whom no diagnosis is made
• Z71.2 Person consulting for explanation of examination or test findings
• Z71.3 Dietary counseling and surveillance
• Z71.4 Alcohol abuse counseling and surveillance
• Z71.41 Alcohol abuse counseling and surveillance of alcoholic (this code)
• Z71.42 Counseling for family member of alcoholic
• Z71.5 Drug abuse counseling and surveillance
• Z71.51 Drug abuse counseling and surveillance of drug abuser
• Z71.52 Counseling for family member of drug abuser
• Z71.6 Tobacco abuse counseling