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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR84

R84

Abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R84 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code R84 encompasses a range of abnormal findings identified in specimens obtained from the respiratory organs and thorax, including sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural fluid, and lung biopsy samples. These findings may indicate various underlying conditions such as infections, malignancies, inflammatory diseases, or other pathological processes. Common abnormal findings include the presence of atypical cells, pathogens, or inflammatory markers that do not fit neatly into other diagnostic categories. Clinicians often rely on these specimens to guide treatment decisions, monitor disease progression, or confirm diagnoses. The interpretation of these findings requires a comprehensive understanding of the patient's clinical history, presenting symptoms, and associated laboratory results. Accurate coding of R84 is crucial for appropriate reimbursement and tracking of disease prevalence, necessitating thorough documentation of the clinical context and the specific findings observed in the specimens.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential underlying conditions represented by abnormal findings.
  • Need for precise documentation of clinical context and specimen type.
  • Differentiation from other codes related to respiratory symptoms or findings.
  • Potential overlap with other ICD-10 codes for respiratory conditions.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the clinical rationale for specimen collection.
  • Failure to specify the type of specimen or abnormal finding.
  • Misinterpretation of laboratory results leading to incorrect coding.
  • Inconsistent use of terminology between clinicians and coders.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed clinical history, indication for specimen collection, and specific findings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with chronic cough, hemoptysis, or unexplained respiratory symptoms requiring further investigation.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all findings are clearly linked to the patient's presenting symptoms and that any follow-up actions are documented.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation including immediate clinical findings and rationale for specimen collection.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute respiratory distress or suspected pneumonia requiring rapid diagnostic evaluation.

Billing Considerations

Document the urgency of the situation and any immediate interventions taken based on the findings.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R84 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when the abnormal findings are not classified elsewhere
  • Document the clinical context and findings thoroughly to support the use of R84

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R84 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related Codes

Child Codes

10 codes
R84.0
Abnormal level of enzymes in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.1
Abnormal level of hormones in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.2
Abnormal level of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.3
Abnormal level of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.4
Abnormal immunological findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.5
Abnormal microbiological findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.6
Abnormal cytological findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.7
Abnormal histological findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.8
Other abnormal findings in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax
R84.9
Unspecified abnormal finding in specimens from respiratory organs and thorax

Related CPT Codes

31500CPT Code

Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible

Clinical Scenario

Used when obtaining specimens from the respiratory tract.

Documentation Requirements

Document the indication for bronchoscopy and findings from the procedure.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the procedure is linked to the diagnosis being investigated.

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 collected for respiratory conditions and enhancing the ability to track disease trends and treatment outcomes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the granularity of data collected for respiratory conditions and enhancing the ability to track disease trends and treatment outcomes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the granularity of data collected for respiratory conditions and enhancing the ability to track disease trends and treatment outcomes.

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

When should I use R84?

Use R84 when there are abnormal findings in specimens from the respiratory organs and thorax that do not fit into other specific diagnostic categories. Ensure that the clinical context is well-documented.