R78 Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood

Category / Non-billable header 15 subcodes

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

Excludes 2 (not included here)

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

Use Additional Code

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

Subcodes

Subcodes are listed below for reference. Detail pages are not available for chapters 11–22.

Code Description Billable
R78..0 Finding of alcohol in blood Yes
R78..1 Finding of opiate drug in blood Yes
R78..2 Finding of cocaine in blood Yes
R78..3 Finding of hallucinogen in blood Yes
R78..4 Finding of other drugs of addictive potential in blood Yes
R78..5 Finding of other psychotropic drug in blood Yes
R78..6 Finding of steroid agent in blood Yes
R78..7 Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in blood No
R78..71 Abnormal lead level in blood Yes
R78..72 Abnormal gadolinium level in blood Yes
R78..79 Finding of abnormal level of heavy metals in blood Yes
R78..8 Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood No
R78..81 Bacteremia Yes
R78..89 Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood Yes
R78..9 Finding of unspecified substance, not normally found in blood Yes

Last reviewed: September 2026