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R78 ICD-10-CM Code: Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood

A clear reference for the official code description, hierarchy, and related coding information from the FY 2027 U.S. release.

Official description

R78

Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood

ICD-10-CM diagnosis code · United States clinical modification

Where R78 sits

  1. 1

    Chapter 18

    Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)

  2. 2

    Section

    Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis (R70-R79)

  3. 3

    Category R78

    Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood

  4. 4

    Code R78

    Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood

Codes under R78

R78 is a non-billable category. Choose the child code that best matches the documented diagnosis.

R78.0Finding of alcohol in bloodR78.1Finding of opiate drug in bloodR78.2Finding of cocaine in bloodR78.3Finding of hallucinogen in bloodR78.4Finding of other drugs of addictive potential in bloodR78.5Finding of other psychotropic drug in bloodR78.6Finding of steroid agent in bloodR78.7Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in bloodR78.8Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in bloodR78.9Finding of unspecified substance, not normally found in blood

Notes for this code

Inclusion terms

No inclusion terms are listed for R78.

Code first

No “code first” instruction is listed for R78.

Use additional code

  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Excludes1

Conditions that should not be reported together with this code.

No Excludes1 note is listed for R78.

Excludes2

Conditions not included here that may be reported separately when present.

  • mental or behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19)

Source and release

Data release
U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027
Effective date
Oct 1, 2026

This reference is generated from Vero’s ICD-10-CM description, hierarchy, and code-note dataset. The visible content and structured data share that source.

Review the CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM source

Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CM code R78 mean?

R78 is the FY 2027 U.S. ICD-10-CM code for “Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood.”

Is R78 a billable or specific ICD-10-CM code?

No. R78 has more specific child codes in the FY 2027 reference data. Select the code that matches the documentation and confirm the active code set and payer requirements.

Where is R78 located in ICD-10-CM?

R78 is listed in Chapter 18, Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99), within Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis (R70-R79) (R70–R79), under category R78, Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood.

What coding notes are listed for R78?

No inclusion terms are listed for R78 in this reference record. No code-first instruction is listed. Additional-code instructions: code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-). No Excludes1 note is listed. Excludes2 notes: mental or behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19).