R78
Header — not billableFindings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood
The ICD-10 code for findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood is R78.
R78 is a non-billable header code. It groups related conditions but cannot be used on its own for reimbursement — select one of the 10 more specific codes below.
Clinical notes
Excludes2 (not included here)
An Excludes2 note means the excluded condition is not part of this one, but a patient can have both at the same time — in that case both codes may be reported together.
Use additional code
This code represents an underlying condition. When a related manifestation is also present, coding convention calls for an additional code to be listed after this one.
- code to identify the any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Documentation support
General coding-documentation guidance — not a substitute for payer-specific requirements or professional coding judgment.
- •This is a non-billable header code. Documentation must support a more specific child code before this diagnosis can be reported on a claim.
- •If the associated manifestation or related condition noted above is also documented, an additional code should be reported alongside this one.
- •As a general rule, code to the highest level of specificity supported by the documentation in the medical record.
Child codes under R78
- 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
Related codes in this category
- R70Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormality of plasma viscositynon-billable header
- R71Abnormality of red blood cellsnon-billable header
- R73Elevated blood glucose levelnon-billable header
- R74Abnormal serum enzyme levelsnon-billable header
- R75Inconclusive laboratory evidence of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]
- R76Other abnormal immunological findings in serumnon-billable header
- R77Other abnormalities of plasma proteinsnon-billable header
- R79Other abnormal findings of blood chemistrynon-billable header
- R78Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in bloodnon-billable header