2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R39.853Costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R30-R39›R39

ICD-10-CM R39.853
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R39.853 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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 bilateral renal angle tenderness. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Genitourinary signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R39.853
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral
Short Description
Costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R39.85
Costovertebral (angle) tenderness

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR30-R39Symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system
CategoryR39Other and unspecified symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system
This CodeR39.853Costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bilateral renal angle tenderness
  • Left renal angle tenderness
  • Renal angle tenderness
  • Right renal angle tenderness
  • Tenderness of left lumbar region of back
  • Tenderness of right lumbar region of back

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R39.853: its own notes plus those printed at R39.85 and Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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 R39.85 Costovertebral (angle) tenderness applies to 4 codes
  • abdominal and pelvic pain (R10.-)
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 R39.853, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming R39.853: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • R10 Abdominal and pelvic pain
    costovertebral (angle) tenderness (R39.85) names R39.85, which includes this code
  • 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

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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

Patient EducationClinical

Pain

Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Each person feels pain differently, even if the reason for the pain is the same. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may be mild or severe. Pain may come and go, or it may be constant.

The full article covers:

  • What is pain?
  • What are the types of pain?
  • What causes pain?
  • How is pain diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for pain?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement R39.853 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • R39.89 - Other symptoms and signs involving the genitourinary system
FY 2026AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2025.
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About R39.853Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral?

The ICD-10-CM code for costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral is R39.853 (sometimes written as R39853). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is R39.853 (Costovertebral (angle) tenderness) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does R39.853 group to?

When costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 696, 695, with relative weights from 0.6677 to 1.1136 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R39.853 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the costovertebral (angle) tenderness, bilateral is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.