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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR85.618

R85.618

Other abnormal cytological findings on specimens from anus

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

Code Description

ICD-10 R85.618 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of other abnormal cytological findings on specimens from anus.

Key Diagnostic Point:

R85.618 is used to classify abnormal cytological findings from specimens obtained from the anus that do not fall under more specific categories. These findings may include atypical squamous cells, dysplastic cells, or other cellular abnormalities detected during cytological examinations, such as Pap smears or biopsies. The presence of these abnormalities can indicate various conditions, including infections, inflammatory processes, or neoplastic changes. It is crucial for clinicians to interpret these findings in conjunction with clinical symptoms, patient history, and additional diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management. The abnormal findings may be asymptomatic or associated with symptoms such as rectal bleeding, pain, or changes in bowel habits, necessitating further investigation and follow-up.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of potential underlying conditions that can cause abnormal findings.
  • Need for correlation with clinical symptoms and history.
  • Potential overlap with other codes for similar findings.
  • Variability in documentation practices among providers.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of clinical findings.
  • Failure to link abnormal findings to specific symptoms.
  • Misinterpretation of cytological results.
  • Inconsistent coding practices across providers.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed patient history, clinical findings, and rationale for cytological testing.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with rectal bleeding or abnormal bowel habits leading to cytological evaluation.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant clinical information is documented to support the diagnosis and coding.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care notes, including presenting symptoms and immediate findings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with acute rectal pain or bleeding requiring urgent evaluation and cytological testing.

Billing Considerations

Document the urgency of the situation and any immediate interventions performed.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R85.618 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code is used only when the findings are not classified elsewhere
  • Document the clinical context and any relevant tests performed

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R85.618 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

88141CPT Code

Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal, any specimen

Clinical Scenario

Used when cytological examination is performed on anal specimens.

Documentation Requirements

Document the type of specimen and findings.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the procedure is clearly linked to the diagnosis.

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 analysis. R85.618 provides a distinct code for abnormal findings that may have previously been grouped under broader categories.

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 analysis. R85.618 provides a distinct code for abnormal findings that may have previously been grouped under broader categories.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of abnormal findings, improving the granularity of data collection and analysis. R85.618 provides a distinct code for abnormal findings that may have previously been grouped under broader categories.

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 R85.618?

R85.618 includes various abnormal cytological findings from anal specimens that do not fit into more specific categories, such as atypical or dysplastic cells.