R78.9
Billable codeFinding of unspecified substance, not normally found in blood
The ICD-10 code for finding of unspecified substance, not normally found in blood is R78.9.
Documentation support
General coding-documentation guidance — not a substitute for payer-specific requirements or professional coding judgment.
- •This code describes an unspecified presentation. If the medical record documents a more specific detail (e.g. laterality, type, or affected site), a more specific sibling code should be used instead — see Related codes below.
- •As a general rule, code to the highest level of specificity supported by the documentation in the medical record.
Related codes in this category
- R78.0Finding of alcohol in blood
- R78.1Finding of opiate drug in blood
- R78.2Finding of cocaine in blood
- R78.3Finding of hallucinogen in blood
- R78.4Finding of other drugs of addictive potential in blood
- R78.5Finding of other psychotropic drug in blood
- R78.6Finding of steroid agent in blood
- R78.7Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in bloodnon-billable header
- R78.8Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in bloodnon-billable header
- R78.9Finding of unspecified substance, not normally found in blood
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Informational only — GEM mappings are approximate, not guaranteed one-to-one equivalents. Verify before use in billing.
- 79099Approximate match
Associated MS-DRGs
R78.9 can serve as the principal diagnosis for these Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups.
Informational only — actual DRG assignment also depends on procedures, complications/comorbidities (CC/MCC), discharge status, and payer-specific rules not reflected here.