2025 ICD-10-CM code R77.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis - Other abnormalities of plasma proteins Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) Feed
This code signifies an unspecified abnormality detected in plasma proteins during a blood examination, where no further specific diagnosis can be made.
The medical necessity for coding R77.9 is established by the presence of an abnormal plasma protein finding on laboratory testing, coupled with the inability to establish a more precise diagnosis after appropriate investigation.
The clinical responsibility for coding R77.9 rests with the physician or qualified healthcare professional who interprets the laboratory results and determines that a more specific diagnosis cannot be assigned.
- Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
- R77-R78: Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
In simple words: This medical code is used when a blood test shows a problem with plasma proteins, but doctors can't pinpoint the exact cause or type of problem.
R77.9, "Abnormality of plasma protein, unspecified," is an ICD-10-CM code used to classify instances where an abnormality in plasma proteins is identified during a blood test, but the precise nature of the abnormality remains undetermined after investigation.This code is applied when a more specific diagnosis cannot be established despite all available information.It encompasses situations where the abnormality is transient, the cause is unknown, further investigation is pending, or a definitive diagnosis is unavailable for other reasons.The code should be used cautiously, prioritizing more specific diagnoses whenever possible.
Example 1: A patient presents for a routine physical examination.Blood tests reveal an abnormality in plasma protein levels, but further investigations (such as electrophoresis or immunofixation) are inconclusive., A patient is admitted to the hospital with symptoms suggestive of several conditions.Initial blood work shows abnormal plasma proteins; however, additional tests are needed to determine the etiology, and the patient is discharged before further testing is complete. , An elderly patient with a history of multiple medical problems has a blood panel revealing an abnormality of unspecified plasma proteins. The abnormality is considered incidental as no specific clinical symptoms relate to the finding.
Detailed laboratory reports indicating the specific plasma protein abnormality detected (e.g., total protein, albumin, globulin, specific immunoglobulins).Physician documentation explaining why a more specific diagnosis could not be made.The clinical reasoning should be detailed to avoid ambiguity.
** This code is primarily for use when the plasma protein abnormality is an incidental finding or when further investigation is needed to establish the cause or underlying condition.It's crucial to document the clinical context and the rationale for using this unspecified code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Hematology, Internal Medicine, Clinical Pathology
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Laboratory