General symptoms and signs
ICD-10 Codes (200)
R01
R01.0
R01.1
R01.2
R03
R03.0
R03.1
R04
R04.0
R04.1
R04.2
R04.8
R04.81
R04.89
R04.9
R05
R05.1
R05.2
R05.3
R05.4
R05.8
R05.9
R06
R06.0
R06.00
R06.01
R06.02
R06.03
R06.09
R06.1
R06.2
R06.3
R06.4
R06.5
R06.6
R06.7
R06.8
R06.81
R06.82
R06.83
R06.89
R06.9
R07
R07.0
R07.1
R07.2
R07.8
R07.81
R07.82
R07.89
R07.9
R09
R09.0
R09.01
R09.02
R09.1
R09.2
R09.3
R09.8
R09.81
R09.82
R09.89
R10
R10.0
R10.1
R10.10
R10.11
R10.12
R10.13
R10.2
R10.3
R10.30
R10.31
R10.32
R10.33
R10.8
R10.81
R10.811
R10.812
R10.813
R10.814
R10.815
R10.816
R10.817
R10.819
R10.82
R10.821
R10.822
R10.823
R10.824
R10.825
R10.826
R10.827
R10.829
R10.83
R10.84
R10.9
R11
R11.0
R11.1
R11.10
R11.11
R11.12
R11.13
R11.14
R11.15
R11.2
R12
R13
R13.0
R13.1
R13.10
R13.11
R13.12
R13.13
R13.14
R13.19
R14
R14.0
R14.1
R14.2
R14.3
R15
R15.0
R15.1
R15.2
R15.9
R16
R16.0
R16.1
R16.2
R17
R18
R18.0
R18.8
R19
R19.0
R19.00
R19.01
R19.02
R19.03
R19.04
R19.05
R19.06
R19.07
R19.09
R19.1
R19.11
R19.12
R19.15
R19.2
R19.3
R19.30
R19.31
R19.32
R19.33
R19.34
R19.35
R19.36
R19.37
R19.4
R19.5
R19.6
R19.7
R19.8
R20
R20.0
R20.1
R20.2
R20.3
R20.8
R20.9
R21
R22
R22.0
R22.1
R22.2
R22.3
R22.30
R22.31
R22.32
R22.33
R22.4
R22.40
R22.41
R22.42
R22.43
R22.9
R23
R23.0
R23.1
R23.2
R23.3
R23.4
R23.8
R23.9
R25
R25.0
R25.1
R25.2
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
No significant changes for FY 2026
This range maintains stability with current coding practices
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for R00-R69 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
The ICD-10 code range R00-R69, titled 'General symptoms and signs', is a broad category encompassing a variety of nonspecific symptoms and clinical signs that are not categorized elsewhere. These codes are used when a definitive diagnosis has not been established by the provider. This range includes codes for symptoms concerning nutrition, metabolism, and development, general symptoms, and abnormal clinical findings.
Key Usage Points:
- •These codes are used when a definitive diagnosis has not been established.
- •The category includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions.
- •Codes in this range can be used in any healthcare setting.
- •These codes should not be used if a more specific code is available.
- •Documentation should be as specific as possible to ensure accurate coding.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient presents with symptoms but no definitive diagnosis has been made.
- ✓When a patient has abnormal clinical findings but the cause is unknown.
- ✓When a patient has an ill-defined condition that doesn't fit into other categories.
- ✓When a patient presents with general symptoms like fatigue, fever, or pain.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a more specific code is available.
- ✗When the cause of the symptoms or signs is known.
- ✗When the symptoms or signs are part of a known disease process.
- ✗When the symptoms or signs are normal findings.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions with the latest version of the ICD-10-CM.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for codes in the R00-R69 range should be as specific as possible. It should include the nature, severity, and location of symptoms, if applicable. Any relevant clinical findings or test results should also be documented.
Clinical Information:
- •Nature of the symptoms or signs
- •Severity of the symptoms or signs
- •Location of the symptoms or signs
- •Duration and frequency of the symptoms or signs
- •Any relevant clinical findings or test results
Supporting Evidence:
- •Physician's notes
- •Lab results
- •Imaging results
- •Consultation reports
Good Documentation Example:
Patient presents with severe, persistent abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant. No known cause.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has stomach pain.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not documenting the severity of symptoms
- âš Not specifying the location of symptoms
- âš Using these codes when a more specific code is available
- âš Not including relevant clinical findings or test results
Range Statistics
Coding Complexity
Coding in this range can be complex due to the broad nature of the symptoms and signs included. It requires a good understanding of the ICD-10 guidelines and the ability to interpret clinical documentation accurately. Additionally, these codes are often updated, requiring coders to stay current with changes.
Key Factors:
- â–¸Determining when to use these codes versus more specific codes
- â–¸Understanding the variety of symptoms and signs included in this range
- â–¸Keeping up with changes and updates to this range
- â–¸Ensuring documentation is specific and complete
Specialty Focus
While these codes can be used in any healthcare setting, they are particularly common in primary care, emergency medicine, and urgent care. They are often used when a patient first presents with symptoms before a definitive diagnosis is made.
Primary Specialties:
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient presents to the ER with severe chest pain of unknown cause.
- • A patient visits their primary care physician with persistent fatigue and weight loss.
- • A patient goes to an urgent care clinic with sudden, severe abdominal pain.
- • A patient presents with a high fever of unknown origin.
- • A patient has abnormal lab results with no known cause.
Resources & References
There are several resources available for coding in the R00-R69 range. These include the official ICD-10-CM guidelines, clinical reference books, and educational materials from coding organizations.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- World Health Organization's ICD-10 guidelines
- National Center for Health Statistics ICD-10 resources
Clinical References:
- Merck Manual
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
Educational Materials:
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) resources
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a code from the R00-R69 range if a more specific code is available?
No, if a more specific code is available, it should be used instead of a code from this range.
What information should be documented for these codes?
The nature, severity, and location of symptoms, if applicable, should be documented. Any relevant clinical findings or test results should also be included.