2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R70Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscosity

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R70-R79›R70

ICD-10-CM R70
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R70 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscosity, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R70.0 and R70.1. 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
R70
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscosity
Chapter
R70-R79
Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR70-R79Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
CategoryR70Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscosity
This CodeR70Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscosity

Specific Coding for Elev erythro sedim and abnormality of plasma viscosityOverview

Non-specific codes like R70 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R70.0 for Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate

  • Use R70.1 for Abnormal plasma viscosity

Patient EducationClinical

Blood

Your blood is made up of liquid and solids. The liquid part, called plasma, is made of water, salts, and protein. Over half of your blood is plasma. The solid part of your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

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 R70Overview

Is R70 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscosity, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscosity need a more specific code from this category, such as R70.0 and R70.1.

Can R70 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscosity is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.