2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R68.3Clubbing of fingers

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R50-R69›R68

ICD-10-CM R68.3
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R68.3 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for clubbing of fingers. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 205 through 206. 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 clubbing of nail. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other general signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R68.3
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Clubbing of fingers
Short Description
Clubbing of fingers
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R68
Other general symptoms and signs

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR50-R69General symptoms and signs
CategoryR68Other general symptoms and signs
This CodeR68.3Clubbing of fingers

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Clubbing of nail
  • Clubbing of nails associated with systemic disorder
  • Clubbing of toes
  • Finger clubbing
  • Pseudo-clubbing

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R68.3: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Applicable To

Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.

  • Clubbing of nails

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • congenital clubfinger (Q68.1)

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 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 R68.3, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming R68.3: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • M20.0 Deformity of finger(s)
    clubbing of fingers (R68.3)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming R68.3: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • L60 Nail disorders
    clubbing of nails (R68.3)

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 SYM016
Other general signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Clubbing of Fingers

    an abnormal enlargement of the terminal phalanges accompanied by increased length-wise curvature of the nails, giving the digits a club-like appearance. clubbing has been noted with a wide variety of conditions, including pulmonary and cardiac diseases, liver disorders, and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Patient EducationClinical

Finger Injuries and Disorders

You use your fingers and thumbs to do everything from grasping objects to playing musical instruments to typing. When there is something wrong with them, it can make life difficult. Common problems include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R68.3 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
781.5 Clubbing of fingers
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About R68.3Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for clubbing of fingers?

The ICD-10-CM code for clubbing of fingers is R68.3 (sometimes written as R683). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is R68.3 (Other general symptoms and signs) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report clubbing of fingers on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does R68.3 group to?

When clubbing of fingers is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 206, 205, with relative weights from 0.9255 to 1.8244 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R68.3 be a principal diagnosis?

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

Can R68.3 be reported with Q68.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on R68.3 lists "congenital clubfinger (Q68.1)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).