General symptoms and signs
ICD-10 Codes (200)
R11R11.0R11.1R11.10R11.11R11.12R11.13R11.14R11.15R11.2R12R13R13.0R13.1R13.10R13.11R13.12R13.13R13.14R13.19R14R14.0R14.1R14.2R14.3R15R15.0R15.1R15.2R15.9R16R16.0R16.1R16.2R17R18R18.0R18.8R19R19.0R19.00R19.01R19.02R19.03R19.04R19.05R19.06R19.07R19.09R19.1R19.11R19.12R19.15R19.2R19.3R19.30R19.31R19.32R19.33R19.34R19.35R19.36R19.37R19.4R19.5R19.6R19.7R19.8R20R20.0R20.1R20.2R20.3R20.8R20.9R21R22R22.0R22.1R22.2R22.3R22.30R22.31R22.32R22.33R22.4R22.40R22.41R22.42R22.43R22.9R23R23.0R23.1R23.2R23.3R23.4R23.8R23.9R25R25.0R25.1R25.2R25.3R25.8R25.9R26R26.0R26.1R26.2R26.8R26.81R26.89R26.9R27R27.0R27.8R27.9R29R29.0R29.1R29.2R29.3R29.4R29.5R29.6R29.7R29.70R29.700R29.701R29.702R29.703R29.704R29.705R29.706R29.707R29.708R29.709R29.71R29.710R29.711R29.712R29.713R29.714R29.715R29.716R29.717R29.718R29.719R29.72R29.720R29.721R29.722R29.723R29.724R29.725R29.726R29.727R29.728R29.729R29.73R29.730R29.731R29.732R29.733R29.734R29.735R29.736R29.737R29.738R29.739R29.74R29.740R29.741R29.742R29.8R29.81R29.810R29.818R29.89R29.890R29.891R29.898R29.9R29.90R29.91R30R30.0R30.1R30.9R31R31.0R31.1R31.2R31.21R31.29R31.9R32R33R33.0Updates & 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 R10-R79 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 R10-R79 encompasses general symptoms and signs. These codes are used to document symptoms and clinical signs that are not associated with a definitive diagnosis. They cover a wide range of conditions, including abdominal and pelvic pain, fever, malaise and fatigue, and abnormal findings in blood chemistry, among others. These codes are crucial for capturing patient symptoms that may lead to further diagnostic procedures.
Key Usage Points:
- •R10-R79 codes are used when a definitive diagnosis is not yet established.
- •These codes cover a wide range of general symptoms and signs.
- •R10-R79 can be used in any medical specialty, depending on the patient's symptoms.
- •These codes are often used in initial patient encounters.
- •R10-R79 codes can be used in conjunction with other codes to provide a complete picture of the patient's health.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient presents with symptoms such as pain, fever, or fatigue, but no definitive diagnosis has been made.
- ✓When a patient's blood chemistry shows abnormal findings.
- ✓When a patient's symptoms are not specific to a particular disease or condition.
- ✓When a patient's symptoms are the primary reason for the visit.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a definitive diagnosis has been made.
- ✗When the symptoms are typical or expected for a diagnosed condition.
- ✗When the symptoms are self-limiting and not the primary reason for the visit.
- ✗When the symptoms are better represented by a more specific code.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions in the ICD-10 manual to ensure accurate coding.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for R10-R79 codes should be detailed and describe the patient's symptoms or signs accurately. It should include the location, duration, severity, and any factors that exacerbate or relieve the symptoms.
Clinical Information:
- •Detailed description of the symptoms or signs
- •Location of the symptoms
- •Duration and frequency of the symptoms
- •Severity of the symptoms
- •Factors that exacerbate or relieve the symptoms
Supporting Evidence:
- •Patient's medical history
- •Physical examination findings
- •Results of any diagnostic tests
Good Documentation Example:
Patient presents with severe, sharp abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant, lasting for 12 hours. Pain increases with movement.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has stomach pain.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not documenting the location of the symptoms
- âš Not specifying the severity of the symptoms
- âš Not including the duration and frequency of the symptoms
- âš Not describing factors that exacerbate or relieve the symptoms
Range Statistics
Coding Complexity
The coding complexity for the R10-R79 range is medium. While the codes themselves are straightforward, the challenge lies in accurately capturing the patient's symptoms and knowing when to use these codes versus more specific codes. Staying current with changes and updates to this range is also crucial.
Key Factors:
- â–¸Determining the most accurate code within the R10-R79 range
- â–¸Understanding the nuances of the patient's symptoms
- â–¸Knowing when to use these codes versus more specific codes
- â–¸Keeping up-to-date with changes and updates to the R10-R79 range
Specialty Focus
R10-R79 codes are widely used across all medical specialties. They are particularly prevalent in primary care, emergency medicine, and internal medicine, where patients often present with undiagnosed symptoms.
Primary Specialties:
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient presents to the ER with severe abdominal pain and fever.
- • A patient visits their primary care physician with fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
- • A patient in the hospital has abnormal blood chemistry findings during routine testing.
Resources & References
Numerous resources are available for coding in the R10-R79 range, including the official ICD-10 manual, clinical reference guides, and educational materials.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) guidelines
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines
Clinical References:
- American Medical Association (AMA) guides
- Medical coding textbooks and handbooks
Educational Materials:
- Online coding courses
- Webinars and workshops on ICD-10 coding
Frequently Asked Questions
Can R10-R79 codes be used as primary codes?
Yes, R10-R79 codes can be used as primary codes when the patient's symptoms are the primary reason for the visit and a definitive diagnosis has not been made.