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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR84.2

R84.2

Abnormal level of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R84.2 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of abnormal level of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax.

Key Diagnostic Point:

R84.2 is used to classify abnormal levels of drugs, medicaments, and biological substances found in specimens taken from the respiratory organs and thorax. This code encompasses a range of substances that may be detected in respiratory specimens, including but not limited to therapeutic drugs, illicit substances, and biological agents. The presence of these substances can indicate various clinical conditions, such as drug toxicity, overdose, or adverse reactions to medications. Symptoms may include respiratory distress, altered mental status, or other systemic effects depending on the substance involved. Laboratory findings may reveal elevated levels of specific drugs or metabolites, necessitating further investigation to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management. Accurate coding requires a thorough understanding of the patient's clinical history, the substances involved, and the context of the findings.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of substances that can be involved
  • Need for precise laboratory results interpretation
  • Potential overlap with other codes for drug levels
  • Documentation of clinical context is crucial

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of substance levels
  • Failure to specify the type of drug or substance
  • Misinterpretation of lab results
  • Coding without clinical correlation

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed patient history, including medication use and substance exposure.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and known drug use.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of polypharmacy and interactions between medications.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care notes must include immediate lab results and clinical assessments.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Acute respiratory distress due to suspected overdose or toxicity.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation of drug levels and patient response.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R84.2 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM guidelines for coding abnormal findings, ensuring that the clinical context is documented and that the specific substance is identified when possible

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R84.2 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

80307CPT Code

Drug testing, definitive

Clinical Scenario

Used when drug levels are tested in respiratory specimens.

Documentation Requirements

Document the specific drugs tested and the rationale for testing.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the testing aligns with the clinical presentation.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal drug levels, improving the ability to capture clinical nuances and enhancing data accuracy for treatment and research.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal drug levels, improving the ability to capture clinical nuances and enhancing data accuracy for treatment and research.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal drug levels, improving the ability to capture clinical nuances and enhancing data accuracy for treatment and research.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of substances are included under R84.2?

R84.2 includes a variety of drugs, medicaments, and biological substances that may be detected in respiratory specimens, such as therapeutic drugs, illicit drugs, and biological agents.