2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R85.9Unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R83-R89›R85

ICD-10-CM R85.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R85.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 947 through 948. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Abnormal findings without diagnosis.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R85.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
Short Description
Unsp abnormal finding in specimens from dgstv org/abd cav
Parent Code
R85
Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

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 CodeR85.9Unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
  • Ascitic fluid examination abnormal
  • Discharge from anus
  • Finding of saliva
  • Peritoneal fluid abnormal
  • Saliva abnormal
  • Vomit examination abnormal

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Abnormal, abnormality, abnormalities
      • specimen
        • digestive organs (peritoneal fluid) (saliva)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR SYM017
Abnormal findings without diagnosis
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Convert R85.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
792.4 Abn findings-saliva
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
792.9 Abn find-body subst NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 R85.9Overview

Is R85.9 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does R85.9 group to?

When unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 947, 948, with relative weights from 0.8005 to 1.2694 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R85.9 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R85.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity converts to ICD-9-CM 792.4 (abn findings-saliva) and 792.9 (abn find-body subst NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.