What is one reason for health care encounters according to ICD-10-CM?

Vaccinations are categorized as a health care encounter in ICD-10-CM because they are a preventive measure aimed at maintaining health and preventing disease. The coding system allows healthcare providers to document and report the services provided during patient visits accurately. Vaccinations are typically recorded in the medical records to track immunization status and ensure compliance with public health recommendations.

In contrast, while nutrition counseling, health screenings, and psychological assessments are also legitimate health care encounters, they serve different purposes. Nutrition counseling generally involves dietary guidance rather than disease prevention, health screenings aim to detect potential health issues early, and psychological assessments focus on mental health evaluation. Each of these encounters has its own specific set of ICD-10-CM codes, but vaccinations are particularly notable for their role in disease prevention and public health initiatives.