2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R79Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R70-R79›R79

ICD-10-CM R79
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R79 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other abnormal findings of blood chemistry, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R79.0, R79.1, R79.81, and R79.82. 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
R79
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry
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
CategoryR79Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry
This CodeR79Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry

Specific Coding for Other abnormal findings of blood chemistryOverview

Non-specific codes like R79 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R79.0 for Abnormal level of blood mineral

  • Use R79.1 for Abnormal coagulation profile

  • R79.8 for Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry

  • Use R79.81 for Abnormal blood-gas level

  • Use R79.82 for Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)

  • Use R79.83 for Abnormal findings of blood amino-acid level

  • Use R79.89 for Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry

  • Use R79.9 for Abnormal finding of blood chemistry, unspecified

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Use Additional Code

  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable Z18

Type 1 Excludes

  • asymptomatic hyperuricemia E79.0
  • hyperglycemia NOS R73.9
  • hypoglycemia NOS E16.2
  • neonatal hypoglycemia P70.3 P70.4
  • specific findings indicating disorder of amino-acid metabolism E70 E72
  • specific findings indicating disorder of carbohydrate metabolism E73 E74
  • specific findings indicating disorder of lipid metabolism E75

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 R79Overview

Is R79 (Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other abnormal findings of blood chemistry, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other abnormal findings of blood chemistry need a more specific code from this category, such as R79.0, R79.1, and R79.81.

Can R79 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the other abnormal findings of blood chemistry is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.