Which of the following statements regarding Z codes is correct?

Z codes are a special category of codes in the ICD-10-CM coding system that represent various social factors, circumstances, or conditions that are not considered illnesses or injuries but may impact a patient's health status. The correct statement is that they can indicate a status post-treatment for diseases. This means that Z codes can effectively document situations where a patient is recovering from a previous condition, has undergone surgery, or requires follow-up care after treatment.

For instance, a patient who has had a surgical procedure might be coded with a Z code to indicate the status post-surgery, providing valuable information about their medical history and current care needs.

In contrast, the other options suggest limitations to the use of Z codes that do not align with their intended purpose. Z codes can represent principal diagnoses when no other condition is present, they are not exclusively for preventive visits, and they apply across a wide range of medical specialties, not just mental health coding. This makes Z codes a versatile tool in healthcare documentation.