- Last edited on January 27, 2024
V Codes (DSM-5) & Z Codes (ICD-10)
Primer
V Codes (used in the DSM-5 and ICD-9) and Z Codes (used in the ICD-10), also known as Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention, are codes used to identify issues that are a focus of clinical attention or affect the diagnosis, course, prognosis, or treatment of a patient's mental disorder. However, these codes are not mental disorders. Both V and Z codes are underused by clinicians, and there is often a lack of awareness about these codes.[1]
It is often helpful to put V or Z codes in a patient's clinical documentation when there is no evidence of a mental disorder, but if they are presenting with significant impairment. Compared to the DSM-5 V Codes, ICD-10 Z Codes are much more comprehensive and cover a wider variety of psychosocial problems. These codes capture important social determinants of health information that psychiatric diagnoses do not capture. Sometimes, it is these codes that are more important than any psychiatric diagnosis!
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V Codes (DSM-5)
Relational
Relational Problems
| V61.20 (Z62.820) | Parent-Child Relational Problem |
| V61.8 (Z62.891) | Sibling Relational Problem |
| V61.8 (Z62.29) | Upbringing Away From Parents |
| V61.29 (Z62.898) | Child Affected by Parental Relationship Distress |
| V61.10 (Z63.0) | Relationship Distress With Spouse or Intimate Partner |
| V61.03 (Z63.5) | Disruption of Family by Separation or Divorce |
| V61.8 (Z63.8) | High Expressed Emotion Level Within Family |
| V62.82 (Z63.4) | Uncomplicated Bereavement |
Educational and Occupational
Educational and Occupational Problems
| V62.3 (Z55.9) | Academic or Educational Problem |
| V62.21 (Z56.82) | Problem Related to Current Military Deployment Status |
| V62.29 (Z56.9) | Other Problem Related to Employment |
Housing and Economic
Housing and Economic Problems
| V60.0 (Z59.0) | Homelessness |
| V60.1 (Z59.1) | Inadequate Housing |
| V60.89 (Z59.2) | Discord With Neighbor, Lodger, or Landlord |
| V60.6 (Z59.3) | Problem Related to Living in a Residential Institution |
| V60.2 (Z59.4) | Lack of Adequate Food or Safe Drinking Water |
| V60.2 (Z59.5) | Extreme Poverty |
| V60.2 (Z59.6) | Low Income |
| V60.2 (Z59.7) | Insufficient Social Insurance or Welfare Support |
| V60.9 (Z59.9) | Unspecified Housing or Economic Problem |
Social Environment
Other Problems Related to the Social Environment
| V62.89 (Z60.0) | Phase of Life Problem |
| V60.3 (Z60.2) | Problem Related to Living Alone |
| V62.4 (Z60.3) | Acculturation Difficulty |
| V62.4 (Z60.4) | Social Exclusion or Rejection |
| V62.4 (Z60.5) | Target of (Perceived) Adverse Discrimination or Persecution |
| V62.9 (Z60.9) | Unspecified Problem Related to Social Environment |
Crime and Legal System
Problems Related to Crime or Interaction With the Legal System
| V62.89 (Z65.4) | Victim of Crime |
| V62.5 (Z65.0) | Conviction in Civil or Criminal Proceedings Without Imprisonment |
| V62.5 (Z65.1) | Imprisonment or Other Incarceration |
| V62.5 (Z65.2) | Problems Related to Release From Prison |
| V62.5 (Z65.3) | Problems Related to Other Legal Circumstances |
Other Health Service Encounters
Other Health Service Encounters for Counseling and Medical Advice
| V65.49 (Z70.9) | Sex Counseling |
| V65.40 (Z71.9) | Other Counseling or Consultation |
Other Psychosocial, Personal, and Environmental Circumstances
Problems Related to Other Psychosocial, Personal, and Environmental Circumstances
| V62.89 (Z65.8) | Religious or Spiritual Problem |
| V61.7 (Z64.0) | Problems Related to Unwanted Pregnancy |
| V61.5 (Z64.1) | Problems Related to Multiparity |
| V62.89 (Z64.4) | Discord With Social Service Provider, Including Probation Officer, Case Manager, or Social Services Worker |
| V62.89 (Z65.4) | Victim of Terrorism or Torture |
| V62.22 (Z65.5) | Exposure to Disaster, War, or Other Hostilities |
| V62.89 (Z65.8) | Other Problem Related to Psychosocial Circumstances |
| V62.9 (Z65.9) | Unspecified Problem Related to Unspecified Psychosocial Circumstances |
Circumstances of Personal History
Other Circumstances of Personal History
| V15.49 (Z91.49) | Other Personal History of Psychological Trauma |
| V15.59 (Z91.5) | Personal History of Self-Harm |
| V62.22 (Z91.82) | Personal History of Military Deployment |
| V15.89 (Z91.89) | Other Personal Risk Factors |
| V69.9 (Z72.9) | Problem Related to Lifestyle |
| V71.01 (Z72.811) | Adult Antisocial Behavior |
| V71.02 (Z72.810) | Child or Adolescent Antisocial Behavior |
| V63.9 (Z75.3) | Unavailability or Inaccessibility of Health Care Facilities |
| V63.8 (Z75.4) | Unavailability or Inaccessibility of Other Helping Agencies |
| V15.81 (Z91.19) | Nonadherence to Medical Treatment |
| 278.00 (E66.9) | Overweight or Obesity |
| V65.2 (Z76.5) | Malingering |
| V40.31 (Z91.83) | Wandering Associated With a Mental Disorder |
| V62.89 (R41.83) | Borderline Intellectual Functioning |
Abuse and Neglect
See also article: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Abuse and Neglect
| 995.54 (T74.12XA) | Child Physical Abuse, Confirmed |
| 995.54 (T76.12XA) | Child Physical Abuse, Suspected |
| V61.21 (Z69.010) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of child abuse by parent |
| V61.21 (Z69.020) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of nonparental child abuse |
| V15.41 (Z62.810) | Personal history (past history) of physical abuse in childhood |
| V61.22 (Z69.011) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of parental child abuse |
| V62.83 (Z69.021) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of nonparental child abuse |
| V61.21 (Z69.010) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of child sexual abuse by parent |
| V61.21 (Z69.020) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of nonparental child sexual abuse |
| V15.41 (Z62.810) | Personal history (past history) of sexual abuse in childhood |
| V61.22 (Z69.011) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of parental child sexual abuse |
| V62.83 (Z69.021) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of nonparental child sexual abuse |
| 995.52 (T74.02XA) | Child Neglect, Confirmed |
| 995.52 (T76.02XA) | Child Neglect, Suspected |
| V61.21 (Z69.010) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of child neglect by parent |
| V61.21 (Z69.020) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of nonparental child neglect |
| V15.42 (Z62.812) | Personal history (past history) of neglect in childhood |
| V61.22 (Z69.011) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of parental child neglect |
| V62.83 (Z69.021) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of nonparental child neglect |
| 995.51 (T74.32XA) | Child Psychological Abuse, Confirmed |
| 995.51 (T76.32XA) | Child Psychological Abuse, Suspected |
| V61.21 (Z69.010) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of child psychological abuse by parent |
| V61.21 (Z69.020) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of nonparental child psychological abuse |
| V15.42 (Z62.811) | Personal history (past history) of psychological abuse in childhood |
| V61.22 (Z69.011) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of parental child psychological abuse |
| V62.83 (Z69.021) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of nonparental child psychological abuse |
| 995.81 (T74.11XA) | Spouse or Partner Violence, Physical, Confirmed |
| 995.81 (T76.11XA) | Spouse or Partner Violence, Physical, Suspected |
| V61.11 (Z69.11) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of spouse or partner violence, physical |
| V15.41 (Z91.410) | Personal history (past history) of spouse or partner violence, physical |
| V61.12 (Z69.12) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of spouse or partner violence, physical |
| 995.83 (T74.21XA) | Spouse or Partner Violence, Sexual, Confirmed |
| 995.83 (T76.21XA) | Spouse or Partner Violence, Sexual, Suspected |
| V61.11 (Z69.81) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of spouse or partner violence, sexual |
| V15.41 (Z91.410) | Personal history (past history) of spouse or partner violence, sexual |
| V61.12 (Z69.12) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of spouse or partner violence, sexual |
| 995.85 (T74.01XA) | Spouse or Partner Neglect, Confirmed |
| 995.85 (T76.01XA) | Spouse or Partner Neglect, Suspected |
| V61.11 (Z69.11) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of spouse or partner neglect |
| V15.42 (Z91.412) | Personal history (past history) of spouse or partner neglect |
| V61.12 (Z69.12) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of spouse or partner neglect |
| 995.82 (T74.31XA) | Spouse or Partner Abuse, Psychological, Confirmed |
| 995.82 (T76.31XA) | Spouse or Partner Abuse, Psychological, Suspected |
| V61.11 (Z69.11) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of spouse or partner psychological abuse |
| V15.42 (Z91.411) | Personal history (past history) of spouse or partner psychological abuse |
| V61.12 (Z69.12) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of spouse or partner psychological abuse |
| 995.81 (T74.11XA) | Adult Physical Abuse by Nonspouse or Nonpartner, Confirmed |
| 995.81 (T76.11XA) | Adult Physical Abuse by Nonspouse or Nonpartner, Suspected |
| V65.49 (Z69.81) | Encounter for mental health services for victim of nonspousal or nonpartner adult abuse |
| V62.83 (Z69.82) | Encounter for mental health services for perpetrator of nonspousal or nonpartner adult abuse |
No Diagnosis
No Diagnosis
| V71.09 (Z03.89) | No Diagnosis or Condition |
Z Codes (ICD-10)
This list is not comprehensive!
The ICD-10 online manual has a much more comprehensive list of all the V codes that can be used. The list below contains the commonly used codes in behavioural and mental health.Education and Literacy
Problems Related to Education and Literacy (Z55)
| Z55.0 | Illiteracy and low-level literacy |
| Z55.1 | Schooling unavailable and unattainable |
| Z55.2 | Failed examinations |
| Z55.3 | Underachievement in school |
| Z55.4 | Educational maladjustment and discord with teachers and classmates |
| Z55.8 | Other problems related to education and literacy |
| Z55.9 | Problem related to education and literacy, unspecified |
Employment and Unemployment
Problems Related to Employment and Unemployment (Z56)
| Z56.0 | Unemployment, unspecified |
| Z56.1 | Change of job |
| Z56.2 | Threat of job loss |
| Z56.3 | Stressful work schedule |
| Z56.4 | Discord with boss and workmates |
| Z56.5 | Uncongenial work Difficult conditions at work |
| Z56.6 | Other physical and mental strain related to work |
| Z56.7 | Other and unspecified problems related to employment |
Housing and Economic
Problems Related to Housing and Economic Circumstances (Z59)
| Z59.0 | Homelessness |
| Z59.1 | Inadequate housing Lack of heating Restriction of space Technical defects in home preventing adequate care Unsatisfactory surroundings |
| Z59.2 | Discord with neighbours, lodgers and landlord |
| Z59.3 | Problems related to living in residential institution Boarding-school resident |
| Z59.4 | Lack of adequate food |
| Z59.5 | Extreme poverty |
| Z59.6 | Low income |
| Z59.7 | Insufficient social insurance and welfare support |
| Z59.8 | Other problems related to housing and economic circumstances Foreclosure on loan Isolated dwelling Problems with creditors |
| Z59.9 | Problem related to housing and economic circumstances, unspecified |
Social Environment
Problems Related to Social Environment (Z60)
| Z60.0 | Problems of adjustment to life-cycle transitions Adjustment to retirement [pension] Empty nest syndrome |
| Z60.1 | Atypical parenting situation Problems related to a parenting situation (rearing of children) with a single parent or other than that of two cohabiting biological parents. |
| Z60.2 | Living alone |
| Z60.3 | Acculturation difficulty Migration Social transplantation |
| Z60.4 | Social exclusion and rejection Exclusion and rejection on the basis of personal characteristics, such as unusual physical appearance, illness or behaviour. |
| Z60.5 | Target of perceived adverse discrimination and persecution Persecution or discrimination, perceived or real, on the basis of membership of some group (as defined by skin colour, religion, ethnic origin, etc.) rather than personal characteristics. |
| Z60.8 | Other problems related to social environment |
| Z60.9 | Problem related to social environment, unspecified |
Negative Life Events in Childhood
Problems Related to Negative Life Events in Childhood (Z61)
| Z61.0 | Loss of love relationship in childhood |
| Z61.1 | Removal from home in childhood |
| Z61.2 | Altered pattern of family relationships in childhood |
| Z61.3 | Events resulting in loss of self-esteem in childhood |
| Z61.4 | Problems related to alleged sexual abuse of child by person within primary support group |
| Z61.5 | Problems related to alleged sexual abuse of child by person outside primary support group |
| Z61.6 | Problems related to alleged physical abuse of child |
| Z61.7 | Personal frightening experience in childhood |
| Z61.8 | Other negative life events in childhood |
| Z61.9 | Negative life event in childhood, unspecified |
Problems Related to Upbringing
Other Problems Related to Upbringing (Z62)
| Z62.0 | Inadequate parental supervision and control |
| Z62.1 | Parental overprotection |
| Z62.2 | Institutional upbringing |
| Z62.3 | Hostility towards and scapegoating of child |
| Z62.4 | Emotional neglect of child |
| Z62.5 | Other problems related to neglect in upbringing |
| Z62.6 | Inappropriate parental pressure and other abnormal qualities of upbringing |
| Z62.8 | Other specified problems related to upbringing |
| Z62.9 | Problem related to upbringing, unspecified |
Problems Related to Primary Support
Other Problems Related to Primary Support Group, including family circumstances (Z63)
| Z63.0 | Problems in relationship with spouse or partner Discord between partners resulting in severe or prolonged loss of control, in generalization of hostile or critical feelings or in a persisting atmosphere of severe interpersonal violence (hitting or striking). |
| Z63.1 | Problems in relationship with parents and in-laws |
| Z63.2 | Inadequate family support |
| Z63.3 | Absence of family member |
| Z63.4 | Disappearance and death of family member Assumed death of family member |
| Z63.5 | Disruption of family by separation and divorce Estrangement |
| Z63.6 | Dependent relative needing care at home |
| Z63.7 | Other stressful life events affecting family and household Anxiety (normal) about sick person in family Health problems within family Ill or disturbed family member Isolated family |
| Z63.8 | Other specified problems related to primary support group Family discord NOS High expressed emotional level within family Inadequate or distorted communication within family |
| Z63.9 | Problem related to primary support group, unspecified |
Psychosocial Circumstances
Problems related to certain psychosocial circumstances (Z64)
| Z64.0 | Problems related to unwanted pregnancy |
| Z64.1 | Problems related to multiparity |
| Z64.2 | Seeking and accepting physical, nutritional and chemical interventions known to be hazardous and harmful |
| Z64.3 | Seeking and accepting behavioural and psychological interventions known to be hazardous and harmful |
| Z64.4 | Discord with counsellors Discord with: probation officer or social worker |
Other Psychosocial Circumstances
Problems Related to Other Psychosocial Circumstances (Z65)
| Z65.0 | Conviction in civil and criminal proceedings without imprisonment |
| Z65.1 | Imprisonment and other incarceration |
| Z65.2 | Problems related to release from prison |
| Z65.3 | Problems related to other legal circumstances Arrest Child custody or support proceedings Litigation Prosecution |
| Z65.4 | Victim of crime and terrorism Victim of torture |
| Z65.5 | Exposure to disaster, war and other hostilities |
| Z65.8 | Other specified problems related to psychosocial circumstances |
| Z65.9 | Problem related to unspecified psychosocial circumstances |