2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R23.0Cyanosis

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R20-R23›R23

ICD-10-CM R23.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R23.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cyanosis. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 947 through 948. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin/Subcutaneous signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R23.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cyanosis
Short Description
Cyanosis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R23
Other skin changes

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR20-R23Symptoms and signs involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryR23Other skin changes
This CodeR23.0Cyanosis

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bier anemic spots, cyanosis, and urticaria-like eruption syndrome
  • Biers spots
  • Blue extremities
  • Blue skin
  • Central cyanosis
  • Cyanosis
  • Cyanosis of skin
  • Cyanosis of skin over lesion
  • Cyanotic attack
  • Finding of color of limb
  • Goes blue
  • Hemoglobinopathy with cyanosis
  • Hypercyanotic spell due to congenital heart disease
  • Local cyanosis
  • Local disease
  • Orthostatic intolerance
  • Peripheral cyanosis
  • Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
  • Pulmonary cyanosis
  • Toxic methemoglobinemia with cyanosis

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • acrocyanosis I73.8
  • cyanotic attacks of newborn P28.2

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Change(s) (in) (of)
      • skin
        • cyanosis
    • Cyanosis

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR SYM014
Skin/Subcutaneous signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Cyanosis

    a bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to an increase in the amount of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood or a structural defect in the hemoglobin molecule.

  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

    a syndrome of orthostatic intolerance combined with excessive upright tachycardia, and usually without associated orthostatic hypotension. all variants have in common an excessively reduced venous return to the heart (central hypovolemia) while upright.

  • Orthostatic Intolerance

    symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion or autonomic overaction which develop while the subject is standing, but are relieved on recumbency. types of this include neurocardiogenic syncope; postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; and neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. (from noseworthy, jh., neurological therapeutics principles and practice, 2007, p2575-2576)

  • Toxic Methemoglobinemia with Cyanosis

    blue skin coloration due to elevated blood levels of methemoglobin. the degree of cyanosis is directly correlated to the concentration of methemoglobin in the blood. as methemoglobin is not suitable for carrying oxygen, hypoxemia becomes a serious sequela.

Patient EducationClinical

Skin Conditions

Your skin is your body's largest organ. It covers the entire outside of your body. There are many ways that your skin protects your body and helps keep you healthy. For example, it:

The full article covers:

  • What does your skin do?
  • What problems and conditions can affect your skin?
  • How can I keep my skin healthy?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert R23.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
782.5 Cyanosis
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About R23.0Overview

Is R23.0 (Other skin changes) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report cyanosis on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does R23.0 group to?

When cyanosis is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 947, 948, with relative weights from 0.8005 to 1.2694 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R23.0 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the cyanosis is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R23.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cyanosis converts to ICD-9-CM 782.5 (cyanosis). The mapping is a direct match.

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.