2026 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 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) 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

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Inadequate sample of cytologic smear of cervix

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
      • Papanicolaou (smear)
        • cervix
          • inadequate smear
    • Abnormal, abnormality, abnormalities
      • Papanicolaou (smear)
        • cervix
          • unsatisfactory smear
    • Abnormal, abnormality, abnormalities
      • specimen
        • female genital organs (secretions) (smears)
          • cytology
            • cervix
              • inadequate (unsatisfactory) smear
    • Inadequate, inadequacy
      • sample of cytologic smear
        • cervix
    • Unsatisfactory
      • sample of cytologic smear
        • cervix

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About R87.615Overview

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, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

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 0.5696 to 1.8348 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.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R87.615?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unsatisfactory cytologic smear of cervix converts to ICD-9-CM 795.08 (unsat cerv cytlogy smear). The mapping is a direct match.

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.