2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R46Symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R40-R46›R46

ICD-10-CM R46
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R46 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R46.0, R46.1, R46.2, and R46.3. 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
R46
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior
Short Description
Symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
R40-R46
Symptoms and signs involving cognition, perception, emotional state and behavior

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
CategoryR46Symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior
This CodeR46Symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior

Specific Coding for Symptoms and signs involving appearance and behaviorOverview

Non-specific codes like R46 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R46.0 for Very low level of personal hygiene

  • Use R46.1 for Bizarre personal appearance

  • Use R46.2 for Strange and inexplicable behavior

  • Use R46.3 for Overactivity

  • Use R46.4 for Slowness and poor responsiveness

  • Use R46.5 for Suspiciousness and marked evasiveness

  • Use R46.6 for Undue concern and preoccupation with stressful events

  • Use R46.7 for Verbosity and circumstantial detail obscuring reason for contact

  • R46.8 for Other symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior

  • Use R46.81 for Obsessive-compulsive behavior

  • Use R46.89 for Other symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Type 1 Excludes

  • appearance and behavior in schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders F20 F29
  • mental and behavioral disorders F01 F99

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 R46Overview

Is R46 (Symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior need a more specific code from this category, such as R46.0, R46.1, and R46.2.

Can R46 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.