2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R36.9Urethral discharge, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R30-R39›R36

ICD-10-CM R36.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R36.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for urethral discharge, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 695 through 696. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as discharge from penis. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Genitourinary signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R36.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Urethral discharge, unspecified
Short Description
Urethral discharge, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R36
Urethral discharge

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR30-R39Symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system
CategoryR36Urethral discharge
This CodeR36.9Urethral discharge, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Discharge from penis
  • Passive discharge of semen from urethra
  • Urethral discharge

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Penile discharge NOS
  • Urethrorrhea

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.

    • Discharge(from)
      • penile
    • Discharge(from)
      • urethral
    • Urethrorrhea

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM011
Genitourinary signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Urethral Discharge

    the flow of fluid from the urethra.

Patient EducationClinical

Urethral Disorders

The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body. In men, it's a long tube that runs through the penis. It also carries semen in men. In women, it's short and is just above the vagina. Urethral problems may happen due to aging, illness, or injury. They include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R36.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
788.7 Urethral discharge
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 R36.9Overview

Is R36.9 (Urethral discharge) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does R36.9 group to?

When urethral discharge, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 695, 696, with relative weights from 0.6890 to 1.1438 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R36.9 be a principal diagnosis?

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

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R36.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, urethral discharge, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 788.7 (urethral discharge). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.