Elevated liver enzymes, often detected through routine blood tests, are a key indicator that something might be amiss with your liver. In the medical field, accurately documenting and classifying these findings is crucial for patient care and billing. The Elevated Liver Enzymes Diagnosis Code used in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) system is R94.5. This code, categorized under “Abnormal results of function studies,” specifically points to abnormal findings from liver function tests.
Decoding ICD-10-CM Code R94.5
ICD-10-CM code R94.5, formally titled “Abnormal results of liver function studies,” is a billable and specific code. This means it is precise enough to be used for diagnosis coding in medical billing and insurance claims. The code officially came into effect on October 1, 2015, with the introduction of ICD-10-CM, and the latest 2025 edition remains unchanged, effective from October 1, 2024. It’s important to note that while R94.5 is the American version, international versions of ICD-10 R94.5 might have variations.
Within the ICD-10-CM framework, R94.5 is associated with various annotations and back-references. These annotations link R94.5 to other codes that might be relevant in a broader diagnostic context. This includes conditions described by “Applicable To,” “Code Also,” “Code First,” “Excludes1,” “Excludes2,” “Includes,” “Note,” or “Use Additional” annotations. These cross-references help ensure comprehensive and accurate coding when dealing with abnormal liver function studies.
Synonyms for Elevated Liver Enzymes Diagnosis Code R94.5
Several terms are used interchangeably with “Abnormal results of liver function studies” or “elevated liver enzymes.” Understanding these synonyms is helpful when searching for information or discussing this diagnosis code:
- Abnormal liver enzymes
- Abnormal liver function
- Abnormal liver function study
- Elevated liver function test
- Liver enzymes abnormal
- Liver function tests abnormal
These terms all essentially refer to the same clinical finding: that laboratory tests designed to assess liver function have returned results outside the normal range. The use of R94.5 indicates the presence of these abnormal results without specifying the underlying cause.
R94.5 in Diagnostic Groupings and Code History
For medical coding and billing purposes, ICD-10-CM codes are often grouped into Diagnostic Related Groups (MS-DRG). R94.5 falls under specific MS-DRG groupings (v42.0), which are used to determine hospital reimbursement rates based on the average resources used to treat patients with similar diagnoses.
Looking at the code history, R94.5 has been a stable code since the inception of ICD-10-CM in 2016. There have been no changes to this code from 2016 through the 2025 edition, indicating its consistent use and definition within the coding system.
Context within ICD-10-CM: Codes Adjacent to R94.5
To better understand the placement of R94.5 within the ICD-10-CM system, it’s useful to examine the codes that are adjacent to it:
- R94.13 Abnormal results of function studies of peripheral nervous system
- R94.2 Abnormal results of pulmonary function studies
- R94.3 Abnormal results of cardiovascular function studies
- R94.4 Abnormal results of kidney function studies
- R94.5 Abnormal results of liver function studies
- R94.6 Abnormal results of thyroid function studies
- R94.7 Abnormal results of other endocrine function studies
- R94.8 Abnormal results of function studies of other organs and systems
This list shows that R94.5 is part of a broader category of codes (R94) that describe abnormal results from function studies of various organ systems. This context highlights that R94.5 is specifically focused on the liver, differentiating it from abnormal findings in other vital organs.
Conclusion
In summary, the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code R94.5 is the designated code for “Abnormal results of liver function studies.” It is a crucial code for medical billing and documentation when liver function tests indicate irregularities. While R94.5 signals a problem with liver function, it’s important to remember that this code itself does not specify the underlying cause of the elevated liver enzymes. Further investigation and potentially more specific diagnoses are necessary to determine the reason for these abnormal results and to guide appropriate medical management.
It is essential for healthcare professionals and those involved in medical coding to accurately use and understand codes like R94.5 to ensure correct billing and contribute to effective patient care. For individuals encountering this code in their medical records, it serves as an indicator to discuss liver health and potential next steps with their healthcare provider.
