R78
Non-Billable

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

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood?

ICD-10-CM R78 is the diagnosis code for Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood. This code falls under the section "Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis" within Chapter 18 — Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for R78

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in R78. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • mental or behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where R78 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 10 entries
R78.0Finding of alcohol in bloodBillableR78.1Finding of opiate drug in bloodBillableR78.2Finding of cocaine in bloodBillableR78.3Finding of hallucinogen in bloodBillableR78.4Finding of other drugs of addictive potential in bloodBillableR78.5Finding of other psychotropic drug in bloodBillableR78.6Finding of steroid agent in bloodBillableR78.7Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in bloodNon-BillableR78.71Abnormal lead level in bloodBillableR78.79Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in bloodBillableR78.8Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in bloodNon-BillableR78.81BacteremiaBillableR78.89Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in bloodBillableR78.9Finding of unspecified substance, not normally found in bloodBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is R78 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, R78 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does R78 mean?

R78 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is R78 in?

R78 is located in Section R70-R79 — "Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis" within Chapter 18 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of R78?

R78 has 10 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: R78.0, R78.1, R78.2, R78.3, R78.4 and more.

When should I use R78?

Use R78 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood?

The ICD-10-CM code for Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood is R78.

Can R78 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, R78 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is R78 in?

R78 is in Chapter 18 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is R78 valid for 2026?

Yes, R78 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousR77.9Abnormality of plasma protein, unspecifiedNext →R78.0Finding of alcohol in blood
Code Details
R78
Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
18 — Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
R70-R79 — Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
2026 ICD-10-CM