---
title: "ICD-10-CM R79.81: Abnormal blood-gas level | BillingBrief"
description: "ICD-10-CM code R79.81: Abnormal blood-gas level. Category, related codes, and the official source, in plain English."
canonical: "https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r79.81/"
language: "en"
---

# R79.81 Abnormal blood-gas level

ICD-10-CM · [CMS code reference](#source)

**Official ICD-10-CM description:** Abnormal blood-gas level

## Coding notes

From the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) tabular list. Notes on a parent code or category apply here too.

### Excludes1

Not coded together with this code. The exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

-   asymptomatic hyperuricemia (E79.0)
-   hypoglycemia NOS (E16.2)
-   neonatal hypoglycemia (P70.3-P70.4)
-   specific findings indicating disorder of amino-acid metabolism (E70-E72)
-   specific findings indicating disorder of carbohydrate metabolism (E73-E74)
-   specific findings indicating disorder of lipid metabolism (E75.-)

### Excludes2

Not part of this code, but both can be coded when both are documented.

-   hyperglycemia NOS ([R73.9](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r73.9/))
-   abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
-   abnormalities of lipids (E78.-)
-   abnormalities of platelets and thrombocytes (D69.-)
-   abnormalities of white blood cells classified elsewhere (D70-D72)
-   coagulation hemorrhagic disorders (D65-D68)
-   diagnostic abnormal findings classified elsewhere - see Alphabetical Index
-   hemorrhagic and hematological disorders of newborn (P50-P61)

### Use additional code

Add a second code for the following, when documented.

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

## Related codes

-   [`R79.0` Abnormal level of blood mineral ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r79.0/)
-   [`R79.1` Abnormal coagulation profile ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r79.1/)
-   [`R79.82` Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r79.82/)
-   [`R79.83` Abnormal findings of blood amino-acid level ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r79.83/)
-   [`R79.89` Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r79.89/)
-   [`R79.9` Abnormal finding of blood chemistry, unspecified ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r79.9/)

## Common questions

### Is R79.81 a billable code?

Yes. R79.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM code in the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) code set.

## From the source

Official description from [CMS](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes).
ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026).

Code set

ICD-10-CM

Category

R79 Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry

Chapter

Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings

Billable

Yes

Educational reference only. Not medical, legal, or billing advice. Always check the current official code set and payer policy before you bill. [About BillingBrief and our sources](https://billingbrief.com/about/).