ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code R78.0: Finding of alcohol in blood

R78.0 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Finding of alcohol in blood 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 finding of alcohol in blood 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
R70-R79Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
category
R78Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood
currentR78

Official coding notes

Applicable to
  • external cause code (Y90.-), for detail regarding alcohol level.
Use additional code
  • external cause code (Y90.-), for detail regarding alcohol level.

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 PhysicianHematologist

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
R78.0

Common synonyms

Finding of alcohol in blood

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeR78.0
SystemICD10
Display nameFinding of alcohol in blood
ChapterSymptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
BlockAbnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Excess, excessive, excessivelyFindings, abnormal, inconclusive, without diagnosisFindings, abnormal, inconclusive, without diagnosis

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 R78.0 for Finding of alcohol in blood | HealthAssure