Understanding ICD-10-CM Code R07.9 – Chest Pain, Unspecified (2025 Edition)

ICD-10-CM Code R07.9 represents "Chest Pain, Unspecified" and is used for documenting symptoms related to pain in the chest area when a more specific diagnosis is not available at the time of encounter.

This code remains unchanged for the 2025 edition of the ICD-10-CM and is billable and specific, making it valid for reimbursement and reporting purposes on claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2024.

• Effective Date: October 1, 2024
• Code: R07.9
• Billable/Specific Code: Yes
• Code Category: R00-R99 – Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
• Subcategory: R07 – Pain in throat and chest

 Approximate Synonyms

• Chest pain
• Chest pain on exertion
• Chest pain, localized
• Exertional chest pain
• Localized chest pain

 Clinical Information

Chest pain is a common symptom that can arise from a variety of conditions ranging from benign to life-threatening. Some of the causes include:

🔹 Cardiovascular

• Angina
• Myocardial infarction (Heart attack)

🔹 Respiratory

• Pulmonary embolism
• Pneumonia
• Pleurisy

🔹 Gastrointestinal

• Heartburn
• GERD
• Esophageal spasms

🔹 Musculoskeletal

• Costochondritis
• Strained chest muscles

🔹 Psychological

• Panic attacks
• Anxiety

Important: Seek immediate medical attention for chest pain that is crushing, radiating to the arm or jaw, associated with shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or dizziness.

Coding Guidelines & Notes

Type 1 Excludes:

• R52 – Pain, not elsewhere classified

Type 2 Excludes:

• G89 – Pain, not elsewhere classified (chronic pain, acute pain, etc.)

Index Entry:

• \Pain(s) → Chest (central) → R07.9

 Reimbursement & DRG Mapping

MS-DRG 313 – Chest Pain
R07.9 is grouped under this DRG, which impacts inpatient reimbursement for chest pain-related admissions. 

ICD-9-CM Conversion

• The equivalent ICD-9-CM code for R07.9 is 786.50 – Chest pain, unspecified.

Final Thoughts

ICD-10-CM Code R07.9 remains an essential diagnostic code for capturing nonspecific chest pain in both outpatient and inpatient settings. While it's a catch-all for chest pain of uncertain origin, it should be used only when no more specific diagnosis is available at the time of coding.

Always consider updating the code if a more definitive diagnosis becomes available after further evaluation.

 

Pro Tip for Coders: Use R07.9 only when the documentation lacks specificity. If the provider notes exertional or localized chest pain but does not link it to a clear condition, this code remains appropriate.

 

📆 Reminder: Always verify codes with the latest ICD-10-CM release and official guidelines for accuracy and compliance.