History of Pulmonary Embolism ICD-10 Code (Z86.711)

The ICD-10-CM code for a history of pulmonary embolism is Z86.711, “Personal history of pulmonary embolism.” Use it when a past blood clot in the lungs has resolved and is no longer being treated as an active problem. If the person still takes a blood thinner to prevent another clot, add Z79.01 for long-term anticoagulant use.

That is the short answer. The harder part of the history of pulmonary embolism ICD-10 question is timing: when does an active PE (I26.-) become “history” (Z86.711)? Pick the wrong one and the record either overstates a dangerous condition or hides a real one. This guide covers the code itself, the rules behind it, real coding examples, and what Z86.711 means if you are a patient who spotted it on your chart.

History of Pulmonary Embolism ICD-10 Code at a Glance

Detail	Z86.711
Official title	Personal history of pulmonary embolism
Code set	ICD-10-CM (U.S. clinical modification)
Chapter	Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00–Z99)
Hierarchy	Z86 → Z86.7 (circulatory diseases) → Z86.71 (venous thrombosis and embolism) → Z86.711
Billable?	Yes — it is the most specific level and valid on claims
On electronic claims	Written without the decimal: Z86711
Present on admission (POA)	Exempt from POA reporting
In use since	October 1, 2015 (first year of ICD-10-CM); no changes through the FY 2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026
Old ICD-9-CM code	V12.55, Personal history of pulmonary embolism
Common chart wording	“H/O PE,” “hx of pulmonary embolus,” “old PE,” “history of PE on long-term anticoagulation”

Z86.711 sits right next to its sister code, Z86.718 (personal history of other venous thrombosis and embolism), which is used for a past deep vein thrombosis (DVT) without a lung clot. Someone who had both a leg clot and a PE gets both codes.

What “Personal History” Means in ICD-10-CM

The official coding guidelines (Section I.C.21.c.4) define personal history codes as describing a past condition that no longer exists and is not receiving treatment, but that could come back and may need monitoring. PE fits that description well. A clot that blocks one of the pulmonary arteries can dissolve completely, yet the conditions that caused it often remain. According to the CDC, about one in three people with a venous blood clot will have another one within 10 years. A history code tells every future clinician, surgeon and anesthesiologist: this patient is at higher risk.

Think of Z86.711 as a flag on the chart rather than a diagnosis. It does not say the person is sick today. It says “this happened before, so plan accordingly.” That matters before surgery, during pregnancy, on long flights, and any time a doctor is deciding whether to order clot prevention.

Active PE vs. Chronic PE vs. History of PE

Three different code families describe a pulmonary embolism, depending on where the person is in their recovery. Choosing between them is where most errors happen.

Situation	Code	Key point
New or currently treated PE	I26.- (for example I26.99, I26.92, I26.93, I26.94, or I26.0- with acute cor pulmonale)	Use while the clot is being actively treated
Clot that never fully cleared (organized, chronic thrombus)	I27.82, Chronic pulmonary embolism (plus I27.24 if CTEPH is documented)	Never report with Z86.711 — they exclude each other
PE resolved, treatment finished	Z86.711	Usually a secondary code
PE resolved, still on a blood thinner to prevent recurrence	Z86.711 + Z79.01	The drug is for prevention, not to treat an active clot

The Tabular List backs this up with two notes worth memorizing:

• I27.82 has an Excludes1 note for Z86.711. A clot cannot be both chronically present and “history” at the same time, so never put these two on the same claim.
• Category I26 has an Excludes2 note for Z86.711. Excludes2 means “not included here, but both can exist.” A patient with a brand-new PE who also had one years ago can have I26.- and Z86.711 together. That is how you show a recurrent clot.

When Does an Active PE Become “History”? (The Blood Thinner Question)

This is the question competitors gloss over, and it is the one coders and physicians argue about most. A patient is still on apixaban three months after their PE. Are they being treated for PE, or are they a “history of PE” patient taking a preventive drug?

The official guidelines do not set a fixed number of days. The answer depends on why the blood thinner is being given, and that has to come from the provider’s note.

The clinical background

Treatment guidance summarized in StatPearls (NIH/NCBI) says every patient with PE should get at least three months of anticoagulation. That first stretch is the treatment phase for the clot. After it, the doctor decides whether to stop or continue. People with an unprovoked PE — one with no clear trigger, about 30% of cases — have two to three times the recurrence risk, so many stay on medication indefinitely. Past the treatment phase, the drug’s job usually shifts from treating the clot to preventing the next one. You can read more about this in our guide to how a pulmonary embolism is treated.

How that translates to coding

1. Read the assessment and plan. Does the provider describe the PE as current, resolved, or chronic? The provider’s words decide the code — not the medication list alone.
2. During the initial treatment course, code the PE as active (I26.-). For example: “Two months into a three-month course of apixaban for subsegmental PE” supports an I26 code.
3. After treatment is complete and the clot is documented as resolved, switch to Z86.711. If the blood thinner continues for prevention, add Z79.01.
4. If the clot persists on imaging months later, which is one reason how long a pulmonary embolism lasts varies so much between people, the provider may document chronic PE (I27.82) instead. That is a different clinical situation from history.
5. If the note is unclear, query the provider. A short question (“Is the PE active, chronic, or resolved, and is the anticoagulant for treatment or prophylaxis?”) prevents most denials and audit findings.

Many health plans publish their own rule of thumb. Some tell coders to treat anticoagulation beyond three months as preventive unless the note explains otherwise. Treat these as payer policies, not official ICD-10-CM guidelines, and always let clear provider documentation win.

About Z79.01

Z79.01, Long term (current) use of anticoagulants, applies when a patient takes a blood thinner on an ongoing basis, including for prevention. The guidelines say Z79 codes are not meant for drugs given for a brief period to treat an acute illness. That is why Z79.01 pairs naturally with Z86.711 in a patient on indefinite prevention.

Coding Examples You Can Use

Scenario	Codes
ER visit: CT scan confirms a new PE, no right heart strain (see how a PE is diagnosed)	I26.99 (or a more specific I26.9- code)
Pre-op visit for knee replacement; PE three years ago, finished treatment, no current blood thinner	Z01.818 (other pre-procedural exam) first, then the reason for surgery, plus Z86.711
Unprovoked PE 14 months ago, documented resolved, on indefinite apixaban to prevent recurrence	Z86.711 + Z79.01
Anticoagulation clinic visit for an INR check; PE resolved, on long-term warfarin	Z51.81 (therapeutic drug monitoring) + Z79.01 + Z86.711
Follow-up after completed treatment; no residual problem found	Z09 (follow-up after completed treatment) + Z86.711 — the Z86 category says to code Z09 first
New PE in a patient who had a PE in 2021	I26.- + Z86.711 (allowed under the Excludes2 note)
Persistent clot with pulmonary hypertension documented as CTEPH	I27.24 + I27.82 (+ Z79.01) — not Z86.711
Past leg DVT and past PE, both resolved	Z86.711 + Z86.718

These examples show common patterns. Exact sequencing depends on the care setting and the reason for the visit, so check the current guidelines and your payer’s policy for edge cases.

Documentation Tips for Providers

Clean coding starts with clear notes. A few words in the assessment make the difference:

• State the status: “acute,” “chronic,” or “history of / resolved.” Avoid “PE” alone in a follow-up note when the clot is gone.
• Give the date: “Unprovoked PE, March 2025, resolved on follow-up CT.”
• Say why the blood thinner continues: “Continue apixaban for secondary prevention” supports Z86.711 + Z79.01. “Continue apixaban, month 2 of 3 for acute PE” supports I26.-.
• Note provoked vs. unprovoked and any ongoing risk factor, such as active cancer.
• If symptoms persist, document whether you are evaluating for chronic PE or group 4 pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which changes the code entirely.

Common Mistakes With the History of PE Code

• Copying “PE” forward from the problem list. A resolved clot keeps showing up as an active I26 code years later. This inflates the record and can trigger audits.
• Using Z86.711 to replace an active diagnosis. If the patient is still in the treatment phase, the history code understates their condition.
• Pairing Z86.711 with I27.82. The Excludes1 note forbids it.
• Using Z86.718 for a lung clot. Z86.718 is for other venous clots, such as DVT. Lung clots get Z86.711.
• Forgetting Z79.01. If the patient is on long-term anticoagulation, leaving it off hides a major safety detail (bleeding risk, procedure planning).
• Assuming the history code counts for risk adjustment. In current CMS-HCC models, history codes like Z86.711 generally do not carry a risk score. That is not a reason to code an active PE that is not there.

What Z86.711 Means for You as a Patient

If you found Z86.711 on a visit summary, insurance statement or patient portal, it simply means your doctor recorded that you had a pulmonary embolism in the past and it is not considered active now. It is not a new diagnosis, and it does not mean a clot was found.

It still matters, though. A prior PE is one of the strongest risk factors for another one. Here is why the code helps you:

• Surgery and hospital stays: Your team is more likely to order clot prevention, such as early walking, compression devices or a preventive blood thinner.
• Emergency visits: If you show up short of breath, a history of PE raises suspicion and speeds up testing. Tools doctors use to rule out a pulmonary embolism, such as the Wells score, give extra points for a prior clot.
• Pregnancy, hormone therapy and birth control: Your doctor will weigh your clot history before prescribing estrogen-containing medicines.
• Long-term follow-up: Some people develop lingering breathlessness after a PE. Persistent symptoms deserve a check for high pulmonary artery pressure.

Tell every new doctor, dentist and surgeon about your past PE, and bring a list of your current medicines, especially any blood thinner. If you are curious how often clots return, our article on how common pulmonary embolism is walks through the numbers, and how long you can live after a pulmonary embolism covers long-term outlook.

Where the Code Came From: A Short History

Before October 1, 2015, U.S. providers used ICD-9-CM, where a past PE was coded V12.55. When the country switched to ICD-10-CM, V12.55 mapped directly to Z86.711. The code has not changed in any annual update since, including the FY 2027 release that took effect October 1, 2026.

The bigger story is how much more detail ICD-10-CM brought to active PE. Instead of a handful of codes, the I26 category now separates saddle emboli, septic emboli, single versus multiple subsegmental clots, fat and cement emboli, and whether acute cor pulmonale (sudden right heart strain) is present. That detail is why getting “active versus history” right matters: an active I26 code drives very different care, payment and quality data than a Z code. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics maintains ICD-10-CM, and CMS publishes the yearly code files and official guidelines.

When to See a Doctor

Call 911 right away if you have a history of PE and develop sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain that worsens with a deep breath, coughing up blood, fainting, or a racing heartbeat. These can be signs of a new clot, and a PE can be fatal within hours. Some clots cause only mild symptoms at first, as explained in how long you can have a PE without knowing. Our guide to pulmonary embolism warning signs explains each symptom, and how a pulmonary embolism becomes deadly explains why speed matters.

Make a regular appointment if you:

• Still feel more breathless than before your PE, three months or more after treatment
• Have new swelling, pain or warmth in one leg
• Are planning surgery, pregnancy or a long trip and want to talk about clot prevention
• Are unsure whether you should still be on a blood thinner — never stop one on your own

Need a specialist? Find a pulmonologist who treats pulmonary embolism or browse our full doctor directory.

Key Takeaways

• The history of pulmonary embolism ICD-10-CM code is Z86.711, billable and POA-exempt, written Z86711 on claims.
• Use it only when the PE is resolved and no longer treated as an active condition.
• During the initial treatment course, code active PE with I26.-. For a clot that never cleared, use I27.82 — never alongside Z86.711.
• Add Z79.01 when a blood thinner continues long-term to prevent recurrence.
• A new PE plus a past PE can be coded I26.- and Z86.711 together.
• Provider documentation of status (“acute,” “chronic,” “resolved”) and the reason for anticoagulation decides the code.
• For patients, Z86.711 is a safety flag, not a new diagnosis — but it means your risk of another clot is higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ICD-10 code for history of pulmonary embolism?

The code is Z86.711, Personal history of pulmonary embolism. It is a billable ICD-10-CM code used when a past PE has resolved and is no longer being actively treated.

Can Z86.711 and Z79.01 be used together?

Yes. This is the standard pairing for a patient whose PE has resolved but who stays on a blood thinner long-term to prevent another clot. Z86.711 records the past clot; Z79.01 records the ongoing anticoagulant use.

Is Z86.711 a billable code?

Yes. Z86.711 is a complete, billable code and is exempt from present-on-admission reporting. On electronic claims it is entered without the decimal point (Z86711).

Should I code active PE or history of PE if the patient is still on a blood thinner?

It depends on why the blood thinner is being given. During the initial treatment course (usually at least three months), code the active PE (I26.-). Once the provider documents the PE as resolved and the drug continues for prevention, code Z86.711 plus Z79.01. If the note is unclear, query the provider.

What is the difference between Z86.711 and Z86.718?

Z86.711 is for a past pulmonary embolism (a clot in the lungs). Z86.718 is for a past clot somewhere else, most often a deep vein thrombosis in the leg. If a patient had both, report both codes.

Can Z86.711 be used with I27.82 chronic pulmonary embolism?

No. I27.82 carries an Excludes1 note for Z86.711. A chronic PE means the clot is still present, which contradicts a history code.

What was the ICD-9 code for history of pulmonary embolism?

It was V12.55. It converted directly to Z86.711 when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015.

References

1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. ICD-10 code files and FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. Effective October 1, 2026.
2. National Center for Health Statistics, CDC. ICD-10-CM.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and Statistics on Venous Thromboembolism. Updated January 2025.
4. Vyas V, Sankari A, Goyal A. Acute Pulmonary Embolism. StatPearls. NCBI Bookshelf; updated December 2024.
5. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What Is Venous Thromboembolism?

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor.