2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R87.625Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of vagina

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R83-R89›R87

ICD-10-CM R87.625
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R87.625 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unsatisfactory cytologic smear of vagina. 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 cervicovaginal cytology specimen unsatisfactory. 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
R87.625
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of vagina
Short Description
Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of vagina
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R87.62
Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from vagina

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 CodeR87.625Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of vagina

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cervicovaginal cytology specimen unsatisfactory
  • Vaginal Papanicolaou smear unsatisfactory for evaluation
  • Vaginal vault smear - inadequate
  • Vaginal vault smear result - finding

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Inadequate sample of cytologic smear of vagina

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

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 R87.625 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
795.18 Vaginl cytol smr unsatis
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 R87.625Overview

Is R87.625 (Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from vagina) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unsatisfactory cytologic smear of vagina on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does R87.625 group to?

When unsatisfactory cytologic smear of vagina 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 R87.625 be a principal diagnosis?

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

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R87.625?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unsatisfactory cytologic smear of vagina converts to ICD-9-CM 795.18 (vaginl cytol smr unsatis). 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.