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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code R78
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code
No Valid Principal Dx

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R78

Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood

ICD-10-CM Code:
R78
ICD-10 Code for:
Find of drugs and oth substnc, not normally found in blood
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
    (R00–R99)
    • Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
      (R70-R79)
      • Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood
        (R78)

R78 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

According to ICD-10-CM guidelines this code should not to be used as a principal diagnosis code when a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Specific Coding Applicable to Find of drugs and oth substnc, not normally found in blood

Non-specific codes like R78 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for find of drugs and oth substnc, not normally found in blood:

  • Use R78.0 for Finding of alcohol in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.1 for Finding of opiate drug in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.2 for Finding of cocaine in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.3 for Finding of hallucinogen in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.4 for Finding of other drugs of addictive potential in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.5 for Finding of other psychotropic drug in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.6 for Finding of steroid agent in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • R78.7 for Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in blood - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.71 for Abnormal lead level in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.79 for Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • R78.8 for Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.81 for Bacteremia - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.89 for Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R78.9 for Finding of unspecified substance, not normally found in blood - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
  • code to identify the any retained foreign body, if applicable Z18

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • mental or behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use F10 F19

Patient Education


Laboratory Tests

Laboratory tests check a sample of your blood, urine, or body tissues. A technician or your doctor analyzes the test samples to see if your results fall within the normal range. The tests use a range because what is normal differs from person to person. Many factors affect test results. These include:

  • Your sex, age and race
  • What you eat and drink
  • Medicines you take
  • How well you followed pre-test instructions

Your doctor may also compare your results to results from previous tests. Laboratory tests are often part of a routine checkup to look for changes in your health. They also help doctors diagnose medical conditions, plan or evaluate treatments, and monitor diseases.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.