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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

R78Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood

Not billable — use a more specific code

R78 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 10 more specific codes beneath it.Short description: Find of drugs and oth substnc, not normally found in blood

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About R78

R78 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood. It belongs to block R70-R79 (abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis) and chapter 18 (symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 10 subcodes must be used instead.

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: R78.0 (blood), R78.1 (blood), R78.2 (blood), R78.3 (blood), R78.4 (blood), R78.5 (blood), R78.6 (blood), R78.7 (blood) and 2 more.

The conditions in its Excludes2 note aren't part of R78, but may be coded alongside it if the patient has both: mental or behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19).

Use an additional code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-).

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Specific codes under R78

Coding notes

Excludes2Not included here — may be reported together if both conditions exist
  • mental or behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19)
Use additional codeAdd a secondary code to fully describe the condition
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to R78.

Broader instructions also apply from R70-R79 Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis and Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified.

Codes whose notes reference R78

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about R78

Is R78 billable?

No. R78 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.