2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R82.81Pyuria

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R80-R82›R82

ICD-10-CM R82.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R82.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pyuria. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 695 through 696. 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 Genitourinary signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R82.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Pyuria
Short Description
Pyuria
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R82.8
Abnormal findings on cytological and histological examination of urine

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR80-R82Abnormal findings on examination of urine, without diagnosis
CategoryR82Other and unspecified abnormal findings in urine
This CodeR82.81Pyuria

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bacterial pyuria
  • Idiopathic pyuria
  • Presence of cells
  • Pus cells
  • Pus cells in urine
  • Pyuria
  • Sterile pyuria
  • Urinary eosinophils
  • Urine micr.:leukocytes present
  • Urine microscopy: leukocytes - polys present
  • Urine microscopy: pus cells present

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R82.81: its own notes plus those printed at R82, block R80-R82, and Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From R82 Other and unspecified abnormal findings in urine applies to 18 codes
  • chromoabnormalities in urine

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.

  • Sterile pyuria

Excludes1

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

From Block R80-R82 Abnormal findings on examination of urine, without diagnosis applies to 25 codes
  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • diagnostic abnormal findings classified elsewhere - see Alphabetical Index
  • specific findings indicating disorder of amino-acid metabolism (E70-E72)
  • specific findings indicating disorder of carbohydrate metabolism (E73-E74)

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 R82 Other and unspecified abnormal findings in urine applies to 18 codes
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)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From R82 Other and unspecified abnormal findings in urine applies to 18 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

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 R82.81, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming R82.81: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • N39.0 Urinary tract infection, site not specified
    pyuria (R82.81)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming R82.81: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block R83-R89 Abnormal findings on examination of other body fluids, substances and tissues, without diagnosis
    abnormal findings on examination of urine, without diagnosis (R80-R82) names R80-R82, which includes this code

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 SYM011
Genitourinary signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Pyuria

    the presence of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the urine. it is often associated with bacterial infections of the urinary tract. pyuria without bacteriuria can be caused by tuberculosis, stones, or cancer.

Patient EducationClinical

Urine and Urination

Your kidneys make urine by filtering wastes and extra water from your blood. The waste is called urea. Your blood carries it to the kidneys. From the kidneys, urine travels down two thin tubes called ureters to the bladder. The bladder stores urine until you are ready to urinate.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement R82.81 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • R82.8 - Abnormal findings on cytolog and histolog exam of urine
FY 2020AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2019.
FY 2021–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About R82.81Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for pyuria?

The ICD-10-CM code for pyuria is R82.81 (sometimes written as R8281). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is R82.81 a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does R82.81 group to?

When pyuria is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 696, 695, with relative weights from 0.6677 to 1.1136 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R82.81 be a principal diagnosis?

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

Can R82.81 be reported with a code from O28?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block R80-R82, which applies to R82.81, lists "abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)". 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).