2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R97.20

Elevated prostate specific antigen [PSA]

ICD-10-CM Code:
R97.20
ICD-10 Code for:
Elevated prostate specific antigen [PSA]
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
    (R00–R99)
    • Abnormal tumor markers
      (R97)
      • Abnormal tumor markers
        (R97)

R97.20 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of elevated prostate specific antigen [psa]. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

The code R97.20 is applicable to adult patients aged 15 through 124 years inclusive. It is clinically and virtually impossible to use this code on a patient outside the stated age range.

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.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Prostate specific antigen above reference range
  • Prostate specific antigen outside reference range

Clinical Classification

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Code Edits

The Medicare Code Editor (MCE) detects and reports errors in the coding of claims data. The following ICD-10-CM Code Edits are applicable to this code:

  • Adult diagnoses - The Medicare Code Editor detects inconsistencies in adult cases by checking a patient's age and any diagnosis on the patient's record. The adult code edits apply to patients age range is 15–124 years inclusive (e.g., senile delirium, mature cataract).
  • Diagnoses for males only - The Medicare Code Editor detects inconsistencies between a patient’s sex and any diagnosis on the patient’s record, these edits apply to MALES only .
  • Questionable admission codes - Some diagnoses are not usually sufficient justification for admission to an acute care hospital. For example, if a patient is given code R030 for elevated blood pressure reading, without diagnosis of hypertension, then the patient would have a questionable admission, since elevated blood pressure reading is not normally sufficient justification for admission to a hospital. The following list contains diagnosis codes identified as questionable admission when used.

Replacement Code

R9720 replaces the following previously assigned ICD-10-CM code(s):

  • R97.2 - Elevated prostate specific antigen [PSA]

Convert R97.20 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 790.93 - Elvtd prstate spcf antgn
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education


Prostate Cancer Screening

What is cancer screening?

Cancer is a disease when the cells of the body grow out of control. Cancer screening is having tests to look for signs of cancer before you have any symptoms. By the time cancer causes symptoms, it may have already spread to other parts of your body. A screening test may help find cancer early, when it may be easier to treat.

Cancer screening only tells you whether you might have cancer. It doesn't diagnose cancer. If a screening test shows signs of cancer, you'll need to have other tests to find out if you do have cancer and how serious it may be.

What is prostate cancer screening?

Prostate cancer screening looks for signs of cancer in the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder. It makes fluid that is part of semen.

Prostate cancer is most common in people over age 50. It usually grows slowly and doesn't cause health problems. In fact, it's possible to live a long life with prostate cancer and never know you have it. But in certain cases, prostate cancer may spread to other parts of the body and can be very serious.

The goal of prostate cancer screening is to find prostate cancers that may be more likely to spread so they can be treated early.

What tests screen for prostate cancer?

Two tests are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer:

  • A prostate-specific antigen test, also called a PSA blood test. PSA is a protein made by your prostate. A high level of PSA in your blood may mean you have prostate cancer, but it's not proof of cancer. That's because many other things may cause high PSA levels, including:

    • Having an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)
    • Having other common prostate problems
    • Taking certain medicines

    In general, the higher your PSA, the more likely it is that you have cancer. But a low PSA blood level isn't a guarantee that you don't have cancer.

  • Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). The DRE is a prostate exam. In this exam, your health care provider inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel your prostate for lumps or anything unusual. A DRE can check only one side of the prostate.

A PSA test or a DRE may be able to detect prostate cancer at an early stage. But it is not clear whether early detection and treatment lower the risk of dying from prostate cancer. You should talk with your provider about the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening.

What are the possible benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening?

The possible benefits of prostate cancer screening include:

  • Finding and treating prostate cancer early before it spreads
  • Getting a better sense of your prostate cancer risk (based on your PSA test)
  • Peace of mind if your screening shows you're unlikely to have prostate cancer now
  • The option to choose further testing and closely monitor your prostate if your screening shows you may have cancer

The possible harms of prostate cancer screening include:

  • Getting a false positive result. This means that your PSA test shows you may have prostate cancer when you really don't. A false positive may lead to:

    • Worry while you have more tests to look for signs of cancer.
    • A prostate biopsy. In a biopsy, a doctor removes tissue from your prostate so it can be studied under a microscope to look for cancer cells. This is the only way to diagnose cancer. The possible harms of a prostate biopsy include:
      • Fever
      • Pain
      • Blood in semen
      • Urinary tract infection

  • Having prostate cancer treatment that you may not have needed. Prostate cancer screening may lead to a cancer diagnosis, but it's not always clear whether the cancer is likely to grow and spread. You could have unnecessary treatment for cancer that would never have caused any health problems. And the common prostate cancer treatments may have serious, permanent complications, such as:

    • Urinary incontinence
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Problems controlling your bowel movements (BMs)

Should I be screened for prostate cancer?

Since there are benefits and risks to prostate screening, you should talk with your provider to decide if screening is right for you. You and your provider should consider:

  • Your age. The risk of prostate cancer increases after age 50.
  • Your family health history. If members of your family have had prostate cancer, your risk may be higher.
  • Your race. Prostate cancer is more common in African Americans. They also have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer at a younger age and having more serious disease.
  • Your general health. Are you well enough to have treatment for prostate cancer if it's found?
  • What you prefer. How do you feel about the possible benefits and harms of screening, diagnosis, and treatment?

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Prostate Diseases

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder. It makes fluid that is part of semen.

What are prostate diseases?

There are many types of prostate diseases:

  • Prostatitis is inflammation (swelling and pain) in the prostate gland. It's the most common type of prostate problem in people under than age 50. There are different types:
    • Chronic prostatitis is also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It's the most common type of prostatitis.
    • Acute bacterial prostatitis starts suddenly from a bacterial infection and is treated with antibiotics. It is not common.
    • Chronic bacterial prostatitis happens when a bacterial infection keeps coming back. The symptoms usually start slowly. It may take longer to treat than acute bacterial prostatitis.
    • Asymptomatic prostatitis has no symptoms and usually doesn't need treatment. You may learn you have it after having tests for other health problems.
  • Enlarged prostate is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate gland tends to grow larger with age. That's why enlarged prostate is very common in older people and rare in those who are under age 40. When the prostate grows larger, it may press on your urethra and cause problems with urination.
  • Prostate cancer happens when cancer cells form in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in those aged 50 and older. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause health problems. But certain prostate cancers are serious.

Who is more likely to develop prostate diseases?

Anyone with a prostate can develop prostate problems. But some people are at higher risk.

You may be more likely to develop prostatitis if you have:

  • A lower urinary tract infection, also called a UTI. An infection in your lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) may lead to acute or chronic bacterial prostatitis.
  • Nerve damage in your lower urinary tract from surgery or an injury. This may lead to chronic prostatitis.
  • Emotional stress, which can lead to chronic prostatitis.

You may be more likely to develop an enlarged prostate (BPH) if you:

  • Are age 40 or older.
  • Have family members who have had BPH.
  • Have certain health conditions such as:
    • Obesity.
    • Heart disease and problems with blood circulation.
    • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Don't get enough physical activity.

You may be more likely to develop prostate cancer if you:

  • Are older than age 50.
  • Have a parent, sibling, or child who has or had prostate cancer.
  • Are African American.

What are the symptoms of prostate diseases?

The symptoms of prostate problems include:

  • Needing to urinate a lot.
  • Needing to rush to the bathroom, but not being able to urinate or only going a little.
  • Leaking or dribbling urine.
  • Having a weak urine stream.

Other symptoms depend on the type of prostate problem you have and may include:

  • Not being able to urinate at all. This is a medical emergency.
  • Any problems, starting or controlling urine flow.
  • Waking up often to urinate.
  • Blood in your urine or urine that has an unusual smell or color.
  • Fever, chills, or body aches.
  • Great discomfort or pain:
    • While urinating or after ejaculation.
    • In your abdomen (belly), between your scrotum and anus, or in your scrotum or penis.

Contact your provider if you have any of these symptoms.

How are prostate diseases diagnosed?

To find out if you have a prostate problem, your provider will:

  • Ask about your medical history and symptoms.
  • Ask about your family health history.
  • Do a physical exam. The exam may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) of your prostate. In a DRE, your provider inserts a gloved finger into your rectum to feel the general size and condition of your prostate.
  • Order tests, if needed. Tests may include:
    • Blood and urine tests to look for infection.
    • Urodynamic testing to see how well you can hold and release urine.
    • Cystoscopy to look inside your urethra and bladder.
    • Ultrasound pictures of your prostate and urinary tract.
    • A PSA blood test (prostate-specific antigen test).
    • Prostate biopsy to diagnose or rule out cancer.

Treatment depends on what prostate disease you have and which symptoms bother you most.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

Learn what a PSA test is, plus the limitations and potential harms of the test when used to screen for prostate cancer.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Prostate Problems

The prostate is a small gland in men that helps make semen. Located just below the bladder in front of the rectum, it wraps around the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body.
[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

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.