New ICD-10-CM Code for Pediatric-to-Adult Transition Counseling

Effective October 1, 2022, a new ICD-10-CM diagnosis code has been added for pediatric-to-adult transition counseling:  Z71.87 (encounter for pediatric-to-adult transition counseling).  The American Academy of Pediatrics and GotTransition.org requested this code and it was accepted by the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee, which is co-chaired by the National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  

The new code as described in the current AAP Pediatric Coding Newsletter:

“Report code Z71.87 when pediatric-to-adult transition counseling is provided as the sole reason for an encounter or in addition to other services (e.g., management of a chronic condition).  Code Z71.87 may be the first-listed or a secondary diagnosis code depending on the circumstances of the encounter.  Any applicable codes for chronic conditions that support the need for pediatric-to-adult transition counseling should be reported in addition to code Z71.87.  Evaluation and management of the chronic conditions is not required at the encounter.”

This new diagnosis code can be used for youth and young adults with and without chronic conditions. This code, when utilized, can assist health systems understand who is offering transition counseling.