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    OpenPayerBilling CodesAbnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosisICD-10-CM r78-findings-of-drugs-and-other-substances
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Findings Of Drugs And Other Substances Not Normally Found In Blood: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group R78 includes laboratory findings indicating the presence of drugs, toxic agents, or other substances in the blood that are not normally present, without an associated confirmed diagnosis of poisoning or adverse effect. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document abnormal blood chemistry and toxicology results, capturing the presence of exogenous substances and the need for further clinical evaluation. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM R78 group supports proper claim adjudication and complete clinical documentation for diagnostic testing and follow-up care.

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    ICD-10-CM R78: Findings Of Drugs And Other Substances, Not Normally Found In Blood Overview

    This group captures laboratory findings where drugs, toxins, or other nonendogenous substances are detected in blood but no definitive diagnosis code for intoxication or poisoning is assigned. These results pertain to the circulatory system laboratory assessment and toxicology testing. Accurate coding is important because it documents abnormal laboratory findings that can affect clinical decision-making and support appropriate reimbursement for diagnostic services.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when laboratory blood tests detect drugs, metabolites, or other exogenous substances and there is no confirmed diagnosis of poisoning, toxic effect, or documented adverse reaction. These codes are appropriate for documenting abnormal findings that require clinical correlation, monitoring, or further testing without assigning a primary diagnosis of intoxication.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    12 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    R78.0Finding of alcohol in blood
    R78.1Finding of opiate drug in blood
    R78.2Finding of cocaine in blood
    R78.3Finding of hallucinogen in blood
    R78.4Finding of other drugs of addictive potential in blood
    R78.5Finding of other psychotropic drug in blood
    R78.6Finding of steroid agent in blood
    R78.71Abnormal lead level in blood
    R78.79Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in blood
    R78.81Bacteremia
    R78.89Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood
    R78.9Finding of unspecified substance, not normally found in blood

    DRG Codes

    11 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    791Prematurity with Major Problems
    793Full Term Neonate with Major Problems
    870Septicemia or Severe Sepsis with MV >96 Hours
    871Septicemia or Severe Sepsis without MV >96 Hours with MCC
    872Septicemia or Severe Sepsis without MV >96 Hours without MCC
    894Alcohol, Drug Abuse or Dependence, Left AMA
    895Alcohol, Drug Abuse or Dependence with Rehabilitation Therapy
    896Alcohol, Drug Abuse or Dependence without Rehabilitation Therapy with MCC
    897Alcohol, Drug Abuse or Dependence without Rehabilitation Therapy without MCC
    947Signs and Symptoms with MCC
    948Signs and Symptoms without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult presents to the emergency department after an intentional overdose of multiple prescription medications. The patient is somnolent with depressed mental status and the provider orders toxicology blood tests that detect high levels of benzodiazepines and acetaminophen that are not normally present; these abnormal findings prompt assignment of a code from this group to document the laboratory detection of drugs. Typical codes: R78.0, R78.1
    • A pregnant woman at a routine prenatal visit has a urine and blood screen for illicit substances; results return positive for cannabinoids without clinical intoxication, prompting counseling and coordination of prenatal care. Because the lab report documents the presence of an illicit substance not part of normal physiology, a code from this group is used to record the abnormal test finding as part of the pregnancy record. Typical codes: R78.2, R78.71
    • A patient with chronic liver disease is hospitalized for altered mental status; comprehensive laboratory testing reveals therapeutic levels of prescribed opioids as well as an unexpected stimulant metabolite, suggesting concurrent substance use complicating management. The detection of non‑endogenous substances on blood testing is coded from this group to capture the comorbidity that may affect treatment and disposition. Typical codes: R78.3, R78.79

    Related Codes

    R70-ELEVATED-ERYTHROCYTE-SEDIMENTATION-RATE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate And Abnormality Of Plasma Viscosity: Group Overview

    R71-ABNORMALITY-OF-RED-BLOOD-CELLS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Abnormality Of Red Blood Cells: Group Overview

    R73-ELEVATED-BLOOD-GLUCOSE-LEVEL

    ICD-10-CM Code For Elevated Blood Glucose Level: Group Overview

    R74-ABNORMAL-SERUM-ENZYME-LEVELS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Abnormal Serum Enzyme Levels: Group Overview

    R75-INCONCLUSIVE-HIV-LABORATORY-EVIDENCE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Inconclusive Laboratory Evidence Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Group Overview

    R76-OTHER-ABNORMAL-IMMUNOLOGICAL-FINDINGS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Abnormal Immunological Findings In Serum: Group Overview

    R77-OTHER-ABNORMALITIES-OF-PLASMA-PROTEINS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Abnormalities Of Plasma Proteins: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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