2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R45.88Nonsuicidal self-harm

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R40-R46›R45

ICD-10-CM R45.88
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R45.88 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for nonsuicidal self-harm. 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 External cause codes: intent of injury, self-harm; External cause codes: unspecified mechanism; and Other unspecified injury.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R45.88
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Nonsuicidal self-harm
Short Description
Nonsuicidal self-harm
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R45.8
Other symptoms and signs involving emotional state

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
CategoryR45Symptoms and signs involving emotional state
This CodeR45.88Nonsuicidal self-harm

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Nonsuicidal self-injury
  • Nonsuicidal self-mutilation
  • Self-inflicted injury without suicidal intent

Code Also

  • injury, if known

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.

    • Injury
      • self-inflicted, without suicidal intent
    • Self-harm(attempted)
      • nonsuicidal
    • Self-injury, nonsuicidal
    • Self-mutilation(attempted)
      • nonsuicidal

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR EXT021
External cause codes: intent of injury, self-harm
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR EXT019
External cause codes: unspecified mechanism
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR INJ027
Other unspecified injury
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR MBD012
Suicidal ideation/attempt/intentional self-harm
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Self-Harm

Self-harm, or self-injury, is when a person hurts his or her own body on purpose. The injuries may be minor, but sometimes they can be severe. They may leave permanent scars or cause serious health problems. Some examples are:

The full article covers:

  • What is self-harm?
  • Why do people harm themselves?
  • Who is at risk for self-harm?
  • What are the signs of self-harm?
  • How can I help someone who self-harms?
  • What the treatments are for self-harm?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement R45.88 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • R45.89 - Other symptoms and signs involving emotional state
FY 2022AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2021.
FY 2023–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About R45.88Overview

Is R45.88 (Other symptoms and signs involving emotional state) a billable code?

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

Can R45.88 be a principal diagnosis?

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

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.