R86.5 vs Z22
R86.5 (Abnormal microbiological findings in specimens from male genital organs) compared with Z22 (Carrier of infectious disease), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.
Can these codes be reported together?
No — do not report together. R86.5 carries an Excludes1 note covering Z22: “colonization status (Z22.-)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
Side by side
| R86.5Abnormal microbiological findings in specimens from male genital organs | Z22Carrier of infectious disease | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Non-billable header |
| Classification | R00-R99 — Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings, Not Elsewhere Classified (R00-R99) | Z00-Z99 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99) |
| Definition | Abnormal microbiological findings in specimens from male genital organs is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (R86.5). | Carrier of infectious disease is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (Z22). |
| Includes | abnormal findings in prostatic secretions abnormal findings in semen, seminal fluid abnormal spermatozoa Positive culture findings in specimens from male genital organs | colonization status suspected carrier |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources