ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code R83.5: Abnormal microbiological findings in cerebrospinal fluid

R83.5 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Abnormal microbiological findings in cerebrospinal fluid 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 abnormal microbiological findings in cerebrospinal fluid 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
R83-R89Abnormal findings on examination of other body fluids, substances and tissues, without diagnosis
category
R83Abnormal findings in cerebrospinal fluid
currentR83

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Positive culture findings in cerebrospinal fluid
Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • colonization status (Z22.-)

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

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
R83.5

Common synonyms

Abnormal microbiological findings in cerebrospinal fluid

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeR83.5
SystemICD10
Display nameAbnormal microbiological findings in cerebrospinal fluid
ChapterSymptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
BlockAbnormal findings on examination of other body fluids, substances and tissues, without diagnosis

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Abnormal, abnormality, abnormalitiesPositive

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 R83.5 for Abnormal microbiological findings in cerebrospinal fluid | HealthAssure