2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R87.615Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R83-R89›R87

ICD-10-CM R87.615
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R87.615 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 742 through 743, 760 through 761. 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 cervical smear - inadequate specimen. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Abnormal findings without diagnosis.

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in OB/GYN medical specialties to designate conditions such abnormal female genital cytology.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R87.615
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix
Short Description
Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R87.61
Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from cervix uteri

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
CategoryR87Abnormal findings in specimens from female genital organs
This CodeR87.615Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cervical smear - inadequate specimen
  • Cervicovaginal cytology specimen unsatisfactory
  • Insufficient endocervical / transformation zone component in a cervical specimen

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R87.615: its own notes plus those printed at R87.61, R87, block R83-R89, 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 R87 Abnormal findings in specimens from female genital organs applies to 31 codes
  • abnormal findings in secretion and smears from cervix uteri
  • abnormal findings in secretion and smears from vagina
  • abnormal findings in secretion and smears from vulva

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.

  • Inadequate sample of cytologic smear of cervix

Excludes1

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

From R87.61 Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from cervix uteri applies to 9 codes
  • abnormal cytological findings in specimens from other female genital organs (R87.69)
  • abnormal cytological findings in specimens from vagina (R87.62-)
  • carcinoma in situ of cervix uteri (histologically confirmed) (D06.-)
  • cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I [CIN I] (N87.0)
  • cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II [CIN II] (N87.1)
  • cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III [CIN III] (D06.-)
  • dysplasia (mild) (moderate) of cervix uteri (histologically confirmed) (N87.-)
  • severe dysplasia of cervix uteri (histologically confirmed) (D06.-)
From Block R83-R89 Abnormal findings on examination of other body fluids, substances and tissues, without diagnosis applies to 93 codes
  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • diagnostic abnormal findings classified elsewhere - see Alphabetical Index

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 R87.61 Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from cervix uteri applies to 9 codes
  • cervical high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test positive (R87.810)
  • cervical low risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test positive (R87.820)
From Block R83-R89 Abnormal findings on examination of other body fluids, substances and tissues, without diagnosis applies to 93 codes
  • abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis (R70-R79)
  • abnormal findings on examination of urine, without diagnosis (R80-R82)
  • abnormal tumor markers (R97.-)
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)

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 R87.615, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming R87.615: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • N87 Dysplasia of cervix uteri
    abnormal results from cervical cytologic examination without histologic confirmation (R87.61-) names R87.61-, which includes this code
  • R87.62 Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from vagina
    abnormal cytological findings in specimens from cervix uteri (R87.61-) names R87.61-, 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 SYM017
Abnormal findings without diagnosis
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. It is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb), which opens into the vagina (birth canal). Cervical cancer screening is an important part of routine health care for people who have a cervix.

The full article covers:

  • What is cervical cancer screening?
  • What tests screen for cervical cancer?
  • What are the possible benefits and harms of cervical cancer screening?
  • Should I be screened for cervical cancer?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R87.615 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
795.08 Unsat cerv cytlogy smear
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About R87.615Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix?

The ICD-10-CM code for unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix is R87.615 (sometimes written as R87615). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is R87.615 (Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from cervix uteri) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does R87.615 group to?

When unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 742, 743, 760, 761, with relative weights from 0.7039 to 1.8448 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R87.615 be a principal diagnosis?

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

Can R87.615 be reported with R87.69?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at R87.61, which applies to R87.615, lists "abnormal cytological findings in specimens from other female genital organs (R87.69)". 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).