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Z86.17 ICD-10-CM Code: Personal history of Clostridioides difficile infection

Compare with another code for Z86.17Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

Tabular directives
3 inclusion terms · 3 Excludes1 · 1 code-first instruction · 1 code-also instruction

Billable · FY2027A valid, specific ICD-10-CM code, reportable for dates of service in FY2027.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too, and is marked with where it comes from.

Code firstfrom Z86Sequence the underlying condition before this code
  • any follow-up examination after treatment (Z09)
Excludes1Not reported with this code unless documented as unrelated
  • enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent (A04.71)
  • personal history of infectious diseases specific to a body system (from Z86.1)
  • sequelae of infectious and parasitic diseases (B90-B94) (from Z86.1)
Code alsofrom Z77-Z99May be needed with this code
  • any follow-up examination (Z08-Z09)
IncludesWhat this code covers
  • Personal history of Clostridium difficile colitis (fulminant) (nonfulminant)
  • Personal history of foodborne intoxication by Clostridium difficile
  • Personal history of Pseudomembraneous colitis

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 21: Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health ServicesZ77-Z99 Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health statusZ86 Personal history of certain other diseasesZ86.1 Personal history of infectious and parasitic diseases

Most relevant related codes MedCoder-derived

Read off the official notes above and this code’s own position in the tabular list. Which to report is a documentation question; Compare shows the two side by side.

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 951 — OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH STATUS (MDC 23)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for Z86.17 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on Z86.17 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Inclusion Terms

Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.

  • Personal history of Clostridium difficile colitis (fulminant) (nonfulminant)
  • Personal history of foodborne intoxication by Clostridium difficile
  • Personal history of Pseudomembraneous colitis

Excludes1 — Not Coded Here

Conditions generally not reported together with this code (Excludes1) -- an error unless the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Code First

Underlying conditions that must be sequenced before this code.

  • any follow-up examination after treatment (Z09)

Source: inherited from Z86

Code Also

Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.

  • any follow-up examination (Z08-Z09)

Source: inherited from Z77-Z99

Coder workflow for Z86.17

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code Z86.17

  1. Confirm the reason for the encounter this Z code records: a personal or family history — a condition no longer present or present in a relative — never a current condition. Check whether the code may be reported as first-listed or principal — some Z codes are limited to one position — and do not report a history or status code for a condition documented as current. Z code categories and their reporting positions (Guidelines I.C.21.c.4, I.C.21.c.15).

    Guide: History codes (Z codes) →

  2. Check the Excludes1 note: if the documentation supports a condition named there, do not simply proceed with Z86.17. Excludes1 conditions are not reported together with this code unless the record shows they are unrelated (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

    See the official tabular notes

Choose the right path

  1. Does the documentation support a condition named in Z86.17’s Excludes1 note?
    Yes → Do not simply proceed: review the excluded code. Both are reported only when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated.
    No → Continue.

    ReviewA04.71

  2. Is the underlying (etiologic) condition the Code First note names documented?
    Yes → Sequence the underlying condition first, then Z86.17.
    No → Continue; do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

    ReviewZ09

Consider Z86.17. Then review the Code Also note, and confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
The underlying (etiologic) condition
Named in the Code First note; sequenced before this code when documented (Guidelines I.A.13).
The reason for the encounter
Whether the code records the encounter’s purpose, a status, or a history — and whether it may be first-listed (Guidelines I.C.21.c).

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes1 — check before selecting Z86.17(3 notes)

    Coding workflow: If the documentation supports a condition named in this note, do not simply proceed with Z86.17: the two are not reported together. The one exception is when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

    CompareA04.71

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.a

  • Code First — sequencing check(1 note)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the underlying or etiologic condition the note names is documented. When it is, sequence it before Z86.17. Do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

    ReviewZ09

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

  • Code Also — related condition(1 note)

    Coding workflow: Review the related condition when both are documented and the instruction applies. A Code Also note does not fix sequencing; the order follows the circumstances of the encounter.

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.17

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Documentation: Both the condition Z86.17 describes and a condition named in its Excludes1 note are documented for the same encounter.

Coding question: Can both codes be reported?

Path: Review the Excludes1 note and the excluded code, and look for a provider statement on whether the two conditions are related.

Reason: Excludes1 means the two are not coded together; the exception is when the record shows the conditions are unrelated to each other (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

ReviewA04.71

Documentation: The underlying condition the Code First note names is documented alongside this condition.

Coding question: How are the two sequenced?

Path: Review the Code First note.

Reason: The underlying condition is sequenced first and the manifestation follows (Guidelines I.A.13).

ReviewZ09

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse Z86.17 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of Z86.17 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • A04.71— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, recurrent moves the case to A04.71; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: Z86.17 vs A04.71 →

  • B90— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of sequelae of infectious and parasitic diseases moves the case to B90; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: Z86.17 vs B90 →

  • B94— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of sequelae of infectious and parasitic diseases moves the case to B94; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: Z86.17 vs B94 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Personal history of Clostridioides difficile infection is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (Z86.17).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Official Coding Guidelines

Official source data — quoted verbatim from the CMS/NCHS Official Guidelines

Verbatim excerpts from the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (CMS/NCHS) that govern this code.

Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)

The history Z code categories are: Z80 Family history of primary malignant neoplasm Z81 Family history of mental and behavioral disorders Z82 Family history of certain disabilities and chronic diseases (leading to disablement) Z83 Family history of other specific disorders Z84 Family history of other conditions Z85 Personal history of malignant neoplasm Z86 Personal history of certain other diseases Z87 Personal history of other diseases and conditions Z91.4- Personal history of psychological trauma, not elsewhere classified Z91.5- Personal history of self- harm Z91.81 History of falling Z91.82 Personal history of military deployment Z91.85 Personal history of military service Z92 Personal history of medical treatment Except: Z92.0, Personal history of contraception Except: Z92.82, Status post administration of tPA (rtPA) in a different facility within the last 24 hours prior to admission to a current facility

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

  1. Sequencing: 1 Code First instruction — the underlying condition is sequenced before this code when present. See the Code First notes
  2. 1 Code Also note — a second code may apply; the guidelines leave its sequencing to the circumstances of the encounter. See the Code Also notes
  3. 3 Excludes1 entries — codes named there are generally not reported together with this code (Guidelines I.A.12.a). See the Excludes1 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

  • Principal-diagnosis restriction. The Medicare Code Editor lists this code as unacceptable as a principal diagnosis: it describes a circumstance influencing health status rather than a current illness or injury being treated. It is valid as a secondary diagnosis.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name Z86.17 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 1 Excludes2 note: Z20 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to communicable diseases (via Z86.1.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

Referenced by 1 Use Additional Code instruction: Z09 — Encounter for follow-up examination after completed treatment for conditions other than malignant neoplasm (via Z86.-).

These codes instruct coders to additionally report this code when it applies.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 1 MS-DRG: DRG 951 (MDC 23).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Related Codes

Principal diagnosis restriction (Medicare Code Editor)

Not acceptable as a principal diagnosis on an inpatient claim.

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “History”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

Z85.828 — Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of skin (personal, malignant neoplasm, skin NEC), Z85.830 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of bone (personal, malignant neoplasm, bone), Z85.831 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of soft tissue (personal, malignant neoplasm, soft tissue), Z85.840 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of eye (personal, malignant neoplasm, eye), Z85.841 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of brain (personal, malignant neoplasm, brain), Z85.848 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of other parts of nervous tissue (personal, malignant neoplasm, nervous system NEC), Z85.850 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of thyroid (personal, malignant neoplasm, thyroid), Z85.858 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of other endocrine glands (personal, malignant neoplasm, endocrine gland NEC), Z85.89 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm of other organs and systems (personal, malignant neoplasm, specified site NEC), Z85.9 — Personal history of malignant neoplasm, unspecified (personal, malignant neoplasm), Z87.01 — Personal history of pneumonia (recurrent) (personal, pneumonia), Z87.09 — Personal history of other diseases of the respiratory system (personal, respiratory condition NEC), Z87.11 — Personal history of peptic ulcer disease (personal, disease or disorder, digestive system, peptic ulcer disease), Z87.19 — Personal history of other diseases of the digestive system (personal, disease or disorder, digestive system), Z87.2 — Personal history of diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (personal, disease or disorder, skin), Z87.310 — Personal history of (healed) osteoporosis fracture (personal, fracture, fragility), Z87.311 — Personal history of (healed) other pathological fracture (personal, collapsed vertebra), Z87.312 — Personal history of (healed) stress fracture (personal, fracture, stress), Z87.39 — Personal history of other diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (personal, disease or disorder, musculoskeletal NEC), Z87.410 — Personal history of cervical dysplasia (personal, cervical dysplasia), +227 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of Z86.17 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run Z86.17 with these 3 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Excludes1

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Referenced by Use Additional Code instructions

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 23 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services[MDC crossing]: “Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 1,258 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Index entries

  • History, personal (of), Clostridium difficile, colitis (fulminant) (nonfulminant)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • History, personal (of), Clostridium difficile, difficile infection[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • History, personal (of), Clostridium difficile, foodborne intoxication[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • History, personal (of), infection NEC, Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile (colitis) (infection)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • History, personal (of), malignant neoplasm (of), Pseudomembraneous colitis[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027

Nearest codes (40)

Change history

Relevant guides

Reference

Index terms and tables, published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

Indexed Clinical Terms (5)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Coding guidelines Official source data
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (FY2027), quoted by section Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder-derived relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder editorial explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 28, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "Z86.17 — Personal history of Clostridioides difficile infection." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/z86.17-personal-history-of-clostridioides-difficile-infection

Change history

Changed in FY2027, the release in force: Added to the code set.

  • FY2027 — October 1, 2026
    Added to the code set
    Personal history of Clostridioides difficile infection
    FY2027 changes

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to Z86.17 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the Z86 family