2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R84Abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R83-R89›R84

ICD-10-CM R84
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R84 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R84.0, R84.1, R84.2, and R84.3. 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
R84
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
Short Description
Abnormal findings in specimens from resp org/thrx
Chapter
R83-R89
Abnormal findings on examination of other body fluids, substances and tissues, without diagnosis

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR83-R89Abnormal findings on examination of other body fluids, substances and tissues, without diagnosis
CategoryR84Abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
This CodeR84Abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

Specific Coding for Abnormal findings in specimens from resp org/thrxOverview

Non-specific codes like R84 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R84.0 for Abnormal level of enzymes in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.1 for Abnormal level of hormones in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.2 for Abnormal level of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.3 for Abnormal level of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.4 for Abnormal immunological findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.5 for Abnormal microbiological findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.6 for Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.7 for Abnormal histological findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.8 for Other abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

  • Use R84.9 for Unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Includes

  • abnormal findings in bronchial washings
  • abnormal findings in nasal secretions
  • abnormal findings in pleural fluid
  • abnormal findings in sputum
  • abnormal findings in throat scrapings

Type 1 Excludes

  • blood-stained sputum R04.2

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 R84Overview

Is R84 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax need a more specific code from this category, such as R84.0, R84.1, and R84.2.

Can R84 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.