Is ICD-10-CM code R79 billable?

No, R79 (Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code. It must be coded to a more specific subcategory before it can be used for reimbursement.

What chapter does ICD-10-CM code R79 belong to?

R79 belongs to Chapter 18 of the ICD-10-CM tabular list: R00–R99 (Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings).

R79Not billable, use a more specific code below

Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry

In Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis (R70-R79), chapter 18: Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings

7 billable codes under R79: none are a CC or MCC; none map to an HCC.

Instructional notes

Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code

asymptomatic hyperuricemia (E79.0)
hypoglycemia NOS (E16.2)
neonatal hypoglycemia (P70.3-P70.4)
specific findings indicating disorder of amino-acid metabolism (E70-E72)
specific findings indicating disorder of carbohydrate metabolism (E73-E74)
specific findings indicating disorder of lipid metabolism (E75.-)

Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable

hyperglycemia NOS (R73.9)

Use additional code: add a second code for this, listed after this one

code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Also applies, from Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis (R70-R79)

These notes sit on R70-R79 and apply to every code under it, including R79.

Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable

abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
abnormalities of lipids (E78.-)
abnormalities of platelets and thrombocytes (D69.-)
abnormalities of white blood cells classified elsewhere (D70-D72)
coagulation hemorrhagic disorders (D65-D68)
diagnostic abnormal findings classified elsewhere - see Alphabetical Index
hemorrhagic and hematological disorders of newborn (P50-P61)

Official coding guidelines

From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.

Covers when to report symptom, sign, and abnormal finding codes (R00-R99), plus specific rules for falls, coma scales, non-infectious SIRS, death NOS, and NIHSS scores.

Use of symptom codes (page 75)
Use of a symptom code with a definitive diagnosis code (page 75)
Combination codes that include symptoms (page 75)
Repeated falls (page 76)
Coma (page 76)
Functional quadriplegia (page 76)
SIRS due to Non-Infectious Process (page 77)
Death NOS (page 77)

Read Section I.C.18 (page 75), 1 more topics

All codes under R79

R79 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

R79 MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, all 7 billable codes under R79 group to MS-DRG 947 or 948 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

Other codes that refer to R79

Notes on these codes point to R79.

R83-R89 Excludes2: abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis (R70-R79)

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

Blood

Your blood is made up of liquid and solids. The liquid part, called plasma, is made of water, salts, and protein. Over half of your blood is plasma. The solid part of your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.