2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R43.8Other disturbances of smell and taste

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R40-R46›R43

ICD-10-CM R43.8
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R43.8 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other disturbances of smell and taste. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). 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 Nervous system signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R43.8
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Other disturbances of smell and taste
Short Description
Other disturbances of smell and taste
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R43
Disturbances of smell and taste

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR40-R46Symptoms and signs involving cognition, perception, emotional state and behavior
CategoryR43Disturbances of smell and taste
This CodeR43.8Other disturbances of smell and taste

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Aftertaste
  • Anterior tongue taste disorder
  • Bad taste in mouth
  • Garlic taste
  • Hemiageusia
  • Hypogeusia
  • Loss of taste
  • Loss of taste anterior two thirds of tongue
  • Loss of taste posterior one third of tongue
  • Metallic taste
  • Neurologic unpleasant taste
  • Phantom taste
  • Primary bitter taste disorder
  • Primary salt taste disorder
  • Primary sweet taste disorder
  • Primary taste disorder
  • Pseudogeusesthesia
  • Secondary acid taste disorder
  • Secondary bitter taste disorder
  • Secondary sweet taste disorder
  • Secondary taste disorder
  • Sensitive to smells
  • Sensitivity to individual odor
  • Taste of food lingers
  • Unpleasant taste in mouth

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Mixed disturbance of smell and taste

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.

    • Disturbance(s)
      • sensation (cold) (heat) (localization) (tactile discrimination) (texture) (vibratory) NEC
        • smell
          • and taste (mixed)
    • Disturbance(s)
      • sensation (cold) (heat) (localization) (tactile discrimination) (texture) (vibratory) NEC
        • smell
          • specified NEC
    • Disturbance(s)
      • sensation (cold) (heat) (localization) (tactile discrimination) (texture) (vibratory) NEC
        • taste
          • and smell (mixed)
    • Disturbance(s)
      • sensation (cold) (heat) (localization) (tactile discrimination) (texture) (vibratory) NEC
        • taste
          • specified NEC
    • Perversion, perverted
      • sense of smell and taste

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM010
Nervous system signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Hypogeusia

    decreased ability to taste.

Patient EducationClinical

Taste and Smell Disorders

Our senses of taste and smell give us great pleasure. Taste helps us enjoy food and beverages. Smell lets us enjoy the scents and fragrances like roses or coffee. Taste and smell also protect us, letting us know when food has gone bad or when there is a gas leak. They make us want to eat, ensuring we get the nutrition we need.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R43.8 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
781.1 Smell & taste disturb
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 R43.8Overview

Is R43.8 (Disturbances of smell and taste) a billable code?

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

Can R43.8 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the other disturbances of smell and taste is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R43.8?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other disturbances of smell and taste converts to ICD-9-CM 781.1 (smell & taste disturb). 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.