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ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code R45.81: Low self-esteem

R45.81 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Low self-esteem in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents low self-esteem in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
18Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
block
R40-R46Symptoms and signs involving cognition, perception, emotional state and behavior
category
R45Symptoms and signs involving emotional state
category
R45.8Other symptoms and signs involving emotional state
currentR45.8

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

General Physician

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 96137high
PSYCHOLOGICAL OR NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST ADMINISTRATION AND SCORING BY PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, TWO OR MORE TESTS, ANY METHOD; EACH ADDITIONAL 30 MINUTES (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 96136high
PSYCHOLOGICAL OR NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST ADMINISTRATION AND SCORING BY PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, TWO OR MORE TESTS, ANY METHOD; FIRST 30 MINUTES
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 96139high
PSYCHOLOGICAL OR NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST ADMINISTRATION AND SCORING BY TECHNICIAN, TWO OR MORE TESTS, ANY METHOD; EACH ADDITIONAL 30 MINUTES (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 96138high
PSYCHOLOGICAL OR NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST ADMINISTRATION AND SCORING BY TECHNICIAN, TWO OR MORE TESTS, ANY METHOD; FIRST 30 MINUTES
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 96131high
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING EVALUATION SERVICES BY PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, INCLUDING INTEGRATION OF PATIENT DATA, INTERPRETATION OF STANDARDIZED TEST RESULTS AND CLINICAL DATA, CLINICAL DECISION MAKING, TREATMENT PLANNING AND REPORT, AND INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK TO THE PATIENT, FAMILY MEMBER(S) OR CAREGIVER(S), WHEN PERFORMED; EACH ADDITIONAL HOUR (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 96130high
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING EVALUATION SERVICES BY PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, INCLUDING INTEGRATION OF PATIENT DATA, INTERPRETATION OF STANDARDIZED TEST RESULTS AND CLINICAL DATA, CLINICAL DECISION MAKING, TREATMENT PLANNING AND REPORT, AND INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK TO THE PATIENT, FAMILY MEMBER(S) OR CAREGIVER(S), WHEN PERFORMED; FIRST HOUR
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Low self-esteem

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeR45.81
SystemICD10
Display nameLow self-esteem
ChapterSymptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
BlockSymptoms and signs involving cognition, perception, emotional state and behavior

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Low

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.

ICD-10 Code R45.81 for Low self-esteem | HealthAssure