R09.3

R09.3: Abnormal sputum

Billable / specific codeICD-10-CM

R09.3 is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code for abnormal sputum. It is valid for submission on a claim.

Check R09.3 with the rest of the claim: free scrubber

Excludes1: never code together

These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.

blood-stained sputum (R04.2)

Inclusion terms

Alternative wordings a physician may use in the chart for this same code.

Abnormal amount of sputum
Abnormal color of sputum
Abnormal odor of sputum
Excessive sputum

Excludes1 inherited from the categories above R09.3

A category’s note binds every code beneath it.

Written on R09: Other symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory system

acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80)
respiratory arrest of newborn (P28.81)
respiratory distress syndrome of newborn (P22.0)
respiratory failure (J96.-)
respiratory failure of newborn (P28.5)

Risk adjustment

No CMS-HCC V28 category: this code does not change a RAF score.

Medicare coverage

R09.3 is named in 2 Medicare coverage policies: 2 listing it as supporting medical necessity. Which one applies depends on your Medicare contractor.

A56580Billing and Coding: Computerized Axial Tomography (CT), Thorax
A57311Billing and Coding: Physical Therapy - Home Health

Alphabetic index entries that lead here

Abnormal, abnormality, abnormalities›sputum(amount) (color) (odor)
Excess, excessive, excessively›sputum
Sputum›abnormal(amount) (color) (odor) (purulent)
Sputum›excessive(cause unknown)
Excess, excessive, excessively›secretion›sputum

Code history

Unchanged in every release from FY2024 to FY2027.