2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R88Abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R83-R89›R88

ICD-10-CM R88
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R88 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R88.0 and R88.8. 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
R88
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances
Short Description
Abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
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
CategoryR88Abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances
This CodeR88Abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances

Specific Coding for Abnormal findings in other body fluids and substancesOverview

Non-specific codes like R88 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R88.0 for Cloudy (hemodialysis) (peritoneal) dialysis effluent

  • Use R88.8 for Abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances

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 R88Overview

Is R88 (Abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances need a more specific code from this category, such as R88.0 and R88.8.

Can R88 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the abnormal findings in other body fluids and substances is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.