Version 2024
No Valid Principal Dx

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R85.61

Abnormal cytologic smear of anus

ICD-10-CM Code:
R85.61
ICD-10 Code for:
Abnormal cytologic smear of anus
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 other body fluids, substances and tissues, without diagnosis
      (R83-R89)
      • Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
        (R85)

R85.61 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of abnormal cytologic smear of anus. 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 Abnormal cytologic smear of anus

Non-specific codes like R85.61 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 abnormal cytologic smear of anus:

  • Use R85.610 for Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance on cytologic smear of anus (ASC-US) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R85.611 for Atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of anus (ASC-H) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R85.612 for Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of anus (LGSIL) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R85.613 for High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of anus (HGSIL) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R85.614 for Cytologic evidence of malignancy on smear of anus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R85.615 for Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of anus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R85.616 for Satisfactory anal smear but lacking transformation zone - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R85.618 for Other abnormal cytological findings on specimens from anus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R85.619 for Unspecified abnormal cytological findings in specimens from anus - 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.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • abnormal cytological findings in specimens from other digestive organs and abdominal cavity R85.69
  • carcinoma in situ of anus histologically confirmed D01.3
  • anal intraepithelial neoplasia I AIN I K62.82
  • anal intraepithelial neoplasia II AIN II K62.82
  • anal intraepithelial neoplasia III AIN III D01.3
  • dysplasia mild moderate of anus histologically confirmed K62.82
  • severe dysplasia of anus histologically confirmed D01.3

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.
  • anal high risk human papillomavirus HPV DNA test positive R85.81
  • anal low risk human papillomavirus HPV DNA test positive R85.82

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.