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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR85

R85

Abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R85 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code R85 is used to classify abnormal findings in specimens obtained from the digestive organs and abdominal cavity. This code encompasses a variety of abnormal laboratory findings that may arise from biopsies, cytological examinations, or other diagnostic tests performed on tissues or fluids from the digestive system. Common findings may include atypical cells, signs of inflammation, neoplastic changes, or infectious agents. These findings can indicate a range of conditions, from benign lesions to malignant tumors, and may necessitate further diagnostic workup or intervention. Accurate coding of R85 requires careful consideration of the clinical context and the specific findings documented in the patient's medical record, as this code does not specify the underlying condition but rather the abnormality observed in the specimen.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential underlying conditions represented by the abnormal findings.
  • Need for precise documentation of the findings to avoid ambiguity.
  • Differentiation from other codes that may represent similar findings.
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with other digestive disorders.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the specific abnormal findings.
  • Failure to link the abnormal findings to a definitive diagnosis.
  • Misinterpretation of laboratory results leading to incorrect coding.
  • Inconsistent use of terminology in pathology reports.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include detailed descriptions of the abnormal findings, the context of the tests performed, and any follow-up actions taken.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, or changes in bowel habits, leading to diagnostic testing.

Billing Considerations

Coders should ensure that all relevant findings are captured and that the relationship between symptoms and abnormal findings is clearly documented.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation should include immediate findings from lab tests and any urgent interventions required based on those findings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute abdominal pain requiring rapid assessment and laboratory testing to rule out serious conditions.

Billing Considerations

In emergency settings, coders must be vigilant about capturing the urgency of findings and any immediate actions taken.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R85 When
  • According to official coding guidelines, R85 should be used when the abnormal findings are not classified elsewhere
  • Coders must ensure that the findings are documented in the medical record and that they are not attributable to a more specific diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R85 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related Codes

Child Codes

24 codes
R85.0
Abnormal level of enzymes in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.1
Abnormal level of hormones in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.2
Abnormal level of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.3
Abnormal level of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.4
Abnormal immunological findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.5
Abnormal microbiological findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.6
Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.61
Abnormal cytologic smear of anus
R85.610
Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance on cytologic smear of anus (ASC-US)
R85.611
Atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of anus (ASC-H)
R85.612
Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of anus (LGSIL)
R85.613
High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytologic smear of anus (HGSIL)
R85.614
Cytologic evidence of malignancy on smear of anus
R85.615
Unsatisfactory cytologic smear of anus
R85.616
Satisfactory anal smear but lacking transformation zone
R85.618
Other abnormal cytological findings on specimens from anus
R85.619
Unspecified abnormal cytological findings in specimens from anus
R85.69
Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from other digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.7
Abnormal histological findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.8
Other abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.81
Anal high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test positive
R85.82
Anal low risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test positive
R85.89
Other abnormal findings in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity
R85.9
Unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from digestive organs and abdominal cavity

Related CPT Codes

88305CPT Code

Pathology examination, surgical

Clinical Scenario

Used when a biopsy is performed and analyzed for abnormal findings.

Documentation Requirements

Pathology report detailing the findings and any relevant clinical history.

Specialty Considerations

Pathologists must ensure that findings are clearly documented to support coding.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the granularity of data collection and enhancing the ability to track and analyze health trends related to digestive health.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the granularity of data collection and enhancing the ability to track and analyze health trends related to digestive health.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the granularity of data collection and enhancing the ability to track and analyze health trends related to digestive health.

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 findings are classified under R85?

R85 includes a range of abnormal findings from specimens taken from the digestive organs, such as atypical cells, signs of inflammation, or infectious agents, but does not specify the underlying condition.