2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R85Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R83-R89›R85

ICD-10-CM R85
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R85 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R85.0, R85.1, R85.2, and R85.3. 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
R85
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
Short Description
Abnormal findings in specimens from dgstv org/abd cav
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
CategoryR85Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
This CodeR85Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

Specific Coding for Abnormal findings in specimens from dgstv org/abd cavOverview

Non-specific codes like R85 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R85.0 for Abnormal level of enzymes in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • Use R85.1 for Abnormal level of hormones in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • Use R85.2 for Abnormal level of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • Use R85.3 for Abnormal level of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • Use R85.4 for Abnormal immunological findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • Use R85.5 for Abnormal microbiological findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • R85.6 for Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • R85.61 for Abnormal cytologic smear of anus

  • Use R85.69 for Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from other digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • Use R85.7 for Abnormal histological findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • R85.8 for Other abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • Use R85.81 for Anal high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test positive

  • Use R85.82 for Anal low risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test positive

  • Use R85.89 for Other abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

  • Use R85.9 for Unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Includes

  • abnormal findings in peritoneal fluid
  • abnormal findings in saliva

Type 1 Excludes

  • cloudy peritoneal dialysis effluent R88.0
  • fecal abnormalities R19.5

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 R85Overview

Is R85 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity need a more specific code from this category, such as R85.0, R85.1, and R85.2.

Can R85 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 digestive organs and abdominal cavity is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.