2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R33Retention of urine

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R30-R39›R33

ICD-10-CM R33
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R33 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for retention of urine, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R33.0, R33.8, and R33.9. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R33
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Retention of urine
Short Description
Retention of urine
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
R30-R39
Symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR30-R39Symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system
CategoryR33Retention of urine
This CodeR33Retention of urine

Specific Coding for Retention of urineOverview

Non-specific codes like R33 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R33.0 for Drug induced retention of urine

  • Use R33.8 for Other retention of urine

  • Use R33.9 for Retention of urine, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R33: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • psychogenic retention of urine (F45.8)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
  • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
  • Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
  • The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00-R94 consist of:
  • (a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;
  • (b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;
  • (c) provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;
  • (d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;
  • (e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;
  • (f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name R33, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming R33: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block R10-R19 Symptoms and signs involving the digestive system and abdomen
    signs and symptoms involving the urinary system (R30-R39) names R30-R39, which includes this code

Patient EducationClinical

Urine and Urination

Your kidneys make urine by filtering wastes and extra water from your blood. The waste is called urea. Your blood carries it to the kidneys. From the kidneys, urine travels down two thin tubes called ureters to the bladder. The bladder stores urine until you are ready to urinate.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About R33Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for retention of urine?

R33 is the ICD-10-CM category for retention of urine, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is R33 (Retention of urine) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for retention of urine, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for retention of urine need a more specific code from this category, such as R33.0, R33.8, and R33.9.

Can R33 be a principal diagnosis?

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

Can R33 be reported with F45.8?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on R33 lists "psychogenic retention of urine (F45.8)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).