Z79.51: Long term (current) use of inhaled steroids
Z79.51, long term (current) use of inhaled steroids, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 4 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 13 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0130 (Single energy x-ray absorptiometry (sexa) bone density…), Q9957 (Injection, perflutren lipid microspheres, per ml), Q9956 (Injection, octafluoropropane microspheres, per ml). The articles come from 3 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.
HCPCS Level II codes with Z79.51 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G0130 | Single energy x-ray absorptiometry (sexa) bone density study, one or more sites; appendicular skeleton (peripheral) (e.g., radius, wrist, heel) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 2 |
| Q9957 | Injection, perflutren lipid microspheres, per ml | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| Q9956 | Injection, octafluoropropane microspheres, per ml | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| C8925 | Transesophageal echocardiography (tee) with contrast, or without contrast followed by with contrast, real time with image documentation (2d) (with or without m-mode recording); including probe placement, image acquisition, interpretation and report | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8926 | Transesophageal echocardiography (tee) with contrast, or without contrast followed by with contrast, for congenital cardiac anomalies; including probe placement, image acquisition, interpretation and report | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| C8927 | Transesophageal echocardiography (tee) with contrast, or without contrast followed by with contrast, for monitoring purposes, including probe placement, real time 2-dimensional image acquisition and interpretation leading to ongoing (continuous) assessment of (dynamically changing) cardiac pumping function and to therapeutic measures on an immediate time basis | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| Q9955 | Injection, perflexane lipid microspheres, per ml | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J0461 | Injection, atropine sulfate, 0.01 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0153 | Injection, adenosine, 1 mg (not to be used to report any adenosine phosphate compounds) | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J1250 | Injection, dobutamine hydrochloride, per 250 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J0280 | Injection, aminophyllin, up to 250 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J1245 | Injection, dipyridamole, per 10 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| A9700 | Supply of injectable contrast material for use in echocardiography, per study | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
Medicare policy articles listing Z79.51
- A59040: Billing and Coding: Bone Mass Measurement (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L36460, L39268
- A57132: Billing and Coding: Bone Mass Measurement (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L36460, L39268
- A56505: Billing and Coding: Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) (Novitas Solutions, Inc. (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 6 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33579, L34337, L35016
- A56625: Billing and Coding: Echocardiography (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 6 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L37379
A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.
Other Z79 diagnoses (Long term (current) drug therapy)
- Z79.52 — Long term (current) use of systemic steroids
- Z79.01 — Long term (current) use of anticoagulants
- Z79.3 — Long term (current) use of hormonal contraceptives
- Z79.810 — Long term (current) use of selective estrogen receptor modulators…
- Z79.811 — Long term (current) use of aromatase inhibitors
- Z79.818 — Long term (current) use of other agents affecting estrogen receptors…
- Z79.83 — Long term (current) use of bisphosphonates
- Z79.85 — Long-term (current) use of injectable non-insulin antidiabetic drugs
- Z79.891 — Long term (current) use of opiate analgesic
- Z79.899 — Other long term (current) drug therapy
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover Z79.51 (Long term (current) use of inhaled steroids)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 4 Medicare billing and coding articles list Z79.51 as a covered diagnosis for 13 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.
Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 Z79.51?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0130 (Single energy x-ray absorptiometry (sexa) bone density…, 2 articles); Q9957 (Injection, perflutren lipid microspheres, per ml, 1 article); Q9956 (Injection, octafluoropropane microspheres, per ml, 1 article); C8925 (Transesophageal echocardiography (tee) with contrast, or…, 1 article); C8926 (Transesophageal echocardiography (tee) with contrast, or…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list Z79.51?
A59040 (Billing and Coding: Bone Mass Measurement); A57132 (Billing and Coding: Bone Mass Measurement); A56505 (Billing and Coding: Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)), and 1 more article.
What is ICD-10-CM code Z79.51?
Z79.51 is the ICD-10-CM code for long term (current) use of inhaled steroids, in category Z79 (Long term (current) drug therapy), chapter 22: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G0130
- Watch G0130 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0130
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.
Chapter 22: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup