Z888 - Medical record notation indicating you have allergies to certain medications or biological substances

International Classification of Diseases

Last updated: 10/3/2025

What is a ICD-10 Code?

ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes are used to classify and code all diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures recorded in association with hospital care. These codes provide a standardized way to track health conditions and their treatment outcomes.

Detailed Description

This code is used by healthcare providers to document in your medical record that you have known allergies to specific drugs, medications, or biological substances (like vaccines or blood products). It's not a diagnosis of a new condition, but rather a way to flag important allergy information in your medical chart. This helps ensure that healthcare providers are aware of your allergies when prescribing treatments or medications. The code covers allergies to drugs and biological substances that aren't specifically listed in other, more detailed allergy codes.

Additional Information

This is a documentation code, not a billable diagnosis. It helps maintain patient safety by ensuring allergy information is properly recorded in medical records. Patients should always inform healthcare providers about all known allergies before receiving any treatments or medications.

Category

Administrative/Documentation

Medical Specialty

All medical specialties

Expected Costs

Your actual cost will depend on your insurance coverage, provider location, and specific circumstances.

What's Required Before This

  • Known history of drug or biological substance allergies
  • Previous allergic reactions documented

What to Expect After

  • Keep updated allergy list with you
  • Inform all healthcare providers of allergies
  • Consider wearing medical alert bracelet if allergies are severe
  • Regular medication reviews with healthcare providers

Why Understanding This Code Matters

On Your Medical Bill

This code appears on your medical bills to identify the specific service, procedure, drug, or medical diagnosis you received. Understanding what it means helps you verify you're being charged correctly and know what to expect.

For Your Health

Knowing what this code represents helps you understand your treatment plan, ask better questions during appointments, and track your healthcare journey more effectively.

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