2018

  1. ICD-10-CM Codes
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  2. R00-R99 Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
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  3. R50-R69 General symptoms and signs
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  4. R68- Other general symptoms and signs
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2018 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R68.13

Apparent life threatening event in infant (ALTE)

ICD-10-CM Coding Rules
Applicable To
  • Apparent life threatening event in newborn
  • Brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE)
Use Additional
Use Additional Help
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation. In most cases the manifestation codes will have in the code title, "in diseases classified elsewhere." Codes with this title are a component of the etiology/manifestation convention. The code title indicates that it is a manifestation code. "In diseases classified elsewhere" codes are never permitted to be used as first listed or principle diagnosis codes. They must be used in conjunction with an underlying condition code and they must be listed following the underlying condition.
  • code(s) for associated signs and symptoms if no confirmed diagnosis established, or if signs and symptoms are not associated routinely with confirmed diagnosis, or provide additional information for cause of ALTE
Code First
Code First Help
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation. In most cases the manifestation codes will have in the code title, "in diseases classified elsewhere." Codes with this title are a component of the etiology/manifestation convention. The code title indicates that it is a manifestation code. "In diseases classified elsewhere" codes are never permitted to be used as first listed or principle diagnosis codes. They must be used in conjunction with an underlying condition code and they must be listed following the underlying condition.
  • confirmed diagnosis, if known
The following code(s) above R68.13 contain annotation back-references
Annotation Back-References
In this context, annotation back-references refer to codes that contain:
  • Applicable To annotations, or
  • Code Also annotations, or
  • Code First annotations, or
  • Excludes1 annotations, or
  • Excludes2 annotations, or
  • Includes annotations, or
  • Note annotations, or
  • Use Additional annotations
that may be applicable to R68.13:
  • R00-R99
    2018 ICD-10-CM Range R00-R99

    Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified

    Note
    • This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
    • Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
    • The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00-R94 consist of:
    • (a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;
    • (b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;
    • (c) provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;
    • (d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;
    • (e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;
    • (f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.
    Type 2 Excludes
    • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
    • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
    • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
    • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)
    Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
  • R68.1
    ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R68.1

    Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy

      2016 2017 2018 Non-Billable/Non-Specific Code
    Type 1 Excludes
    • colic, infantile (R10.83)
    • neonatal cerebral irritability (P91.3)
    • teething syndrome (K00.7)
    Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy
Approximate Synonyms ICD-10-CM R68.13 is grouped within Diagnostic Related Group(s) (MS-DRG v35.0):

Convert R68.13 to ICD-9-CM

Code History

Diagnosis Index entries containing back-references to R68.13:

ICD-10-CM Codes Adjacent To R68.13
R65.10 …… without acute organ dysfunction
R65.11 …… with acute organ dysfunction
R65.2 Severe sepsis
R65.20 …… without septic shock
R65.21 …… with septic shock
R68 Other general symptoms and signs
R68.0 Hypothermia, not associated with low environmental temperature
R68.1 Nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy
R68.11 Excessive crying of infant (baby)
R68.12 Fussy infant (baby)
R68.13 Apparent life threatening event in infant (ALTE)
R68.19 Other nonspecific symptoms peculiar to infancy
R68.2 Dry mouth, unspecified
R68.3 Clubbing of fingers
R68.8 Other general symptoms and signs
R68.81 Early satiety
R68.82 Decreased libido
R68.83 Chills (without fever)
R68.84 Jaw pain
R68.89 Other general symptoms and signs
R69 Illness, unspecified

Reimbursement claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015 require the use of ICD-10-CM codes.