General symptoms and signs
ICD-10 Codes (200)
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
R25.3
R25.8
R25.9
R26
R26.0
R26.1
R26.2
R26.8
R26.81
R26.89
R26.9
R27
R27.0
R27.8
R27.9
R29
R29.0
R29.1
R29.2
R29.3
R29.4
R29.5
R29.6
R29.7
R29.70
R29.700
R29.701
R29.702
R29.703
R29.704
R29.705
R29.706
R29.707
R29.708
R29.709
R29.71
R29.710
R29.711
R29.712
R29.713
R29.714
R29.715
R29.716
R29.717
R29.718
R29.719
R29.72
R29.720
R29.721
R29.722
R29.723
R29.724
R29.725
R29.726
R29.727
R29.728
R29.729
R29.73
R29.730
R29.731
R29.732
R29.733
R29.734
R29.735
R29.736
R29.737
R29.738
R29.739
R29.74
R29.740
R29.741
R29.742
R29.8
R29.81
R29.810
R29.818
R29.89
R29.890
R29.891
R29.898
R29.9
R29.90
R29.91
R30
R30.0
R30.1
R30.9
R31
R31.0
R31.1
R31.2
R31.21
R31.29
R31.9
R32
R33
R33.0
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 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.