Z96.81 Presence of artificial skin

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applies from Z96 Presence of other functional implants

Excludes2 (not included here)

• complications of internal prosthetic devices, implants and grafts (T82-T85)
• fitting and adjustment of prosthetic and other devices (Z44-Z46)

MS-DRG index

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

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• V43.83 Artificial skin replacement

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 Z96.81

Back-references to Z96

• Type 2 Excludes: M96 Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of musculoskeletal system, not elsewhere classified ("presence of functional implants and other devices (Z96-Z97)")
• Type 1 Excludes: Z18 Retained foreign body fragments ("organ or tissue replaced by means other than transplant (Z96.-, Z97.-)")
• Type 2 Excludes: Z46 Encounter for fitting and adjustment of other devices ("presence of prosthetic and other devices (Z95-Z97)")
• Type 2 Excludes: Z78 Other specified health status ("postprocedural status (Z93-Z99)")
• Type 2 Excludes: Z87.7 Personal history of (corrected) congenital malformations ("presence of other functional implants (Z96.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for Z96.81

• Presence (of) › implanted device (artificial) (functional) (prosthetic) › skin

Nearby codes

• Z96.692 Finger-joint replacement of left hand
• Z96.693 Finger-joint replacement, bilateral
• Z96.698 Presence of other orthopedic joint implants
• Z96.7 Presence of other bone and tendon implants
• Z96.8 Presence of other specified functional implants
• Z96.81 Presence of artificial skin (this code)
• Z96.82 Presence of neurostimulator
• Z96.89 Presence of other specified functional implants
• Z96.9 Presence of functional implant, unspecified