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Z04.42 vs Z04.72

Z04.42 (Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child rape) compared with Z04.72 (Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child physical abuse), 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. Z04.72 carries an Excludes1 note covering Z04.42: “encounter for examination and observation following alleged child sexual abuse (Z04.42)”

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

Z04.42Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child rapeZ04.72Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child physical abuse
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationZ00-Z99 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99)Z00-Z99 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99)
DefinitionEncounter for examination and observation following alleged child rape is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (Z04.42).Encounter for examination and observation following alleged child physical abuse is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (Z04.72).
Includes
encounter for examination for medicolegal reasons
This category is to be used when a person without a diagnosis is suspected of having an abnormal condition, without signs or symptoms, which requires study, but after examination and observation, is ruled-out. This category is also for use for administrative and legal observation status.
Suspected child rape, ruled out
Suspected child sexual abuse, ruled out
encounter for examination for medicolegal reasons
This category is to be used when a person without a diagnosis is suspected of having an abnormal condition, without signs or symptoms, which requires study, but after examination and observation, is ruled-out. This category is also for use for administrative and legal observation status.
Suspected child physical abuse, ruled out

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources