J96-J99
Medium Complexity

Other diseases of the respiratory system

Primary Specialty: Pulmonology
Last Updated: 2025-09-09

ICD-10 Codes (17)

13 billable
3 category headers
J98
Other respiratory disorders
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J98.0
Diseases of bronchus, not elsewhere classified
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J98.01
Billable
Acute bronchospasm
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J98.09
Billable
Other diseases of bronchus, not elsewhere classified
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J98.1
Pulmonary collapse
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J98.11
Billable
Atelectasis
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J98.19
Billable
Other pulmonary collapse
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J98.2
Billable
Interstitial emphysema
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J98.3
Billable
Compensatory emphysema
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J98.4
Billable
Other disorders of lung
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J98.5
Diseases of mediastinum, not elsewhere classified
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J98.51
Billable
Mediastinitis
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J98.59
Billable
Other diseases of mediastinum, not elsewhere classified
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J98.6
Billable
Disorders of diaphragm
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J98.8
Billable
Other specified respiratory disorders
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J98.9
Billable
Respiratory disorder, unspecified
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J99
Billable
Respiratory disorders in diseases classified elsewhere
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Updates & Changes

FY 2026 Updates

Current Year

New Codes (1)

J06.9
Acute upper respiratory infection, unspecified, post-viral syndrome

Revised Codes (2)

J02.9
Acute pharyngitis, unspecified - updated to include rapid strep correlation
J06.0
Acute laryngopharyngitis - enhanced viral etiology specifications

Deleted Codes

No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026

Historical Changes

  • FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
  • FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
  • FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity

Upcoming Changes

  • Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
  • Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes

Implementation Guidance

  • Review all FY 2026 updates for J96-J99 codes before implementation
  • Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
  • Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
  • +3 more guidance items...

Range Overview

high priority

The ICD-10 code range J96-J99 pertains to 'Other diseases of the respiratory system.' This range includes codes for chronic respiratory diseases, lung diseases not classified elsewhere, and diseases of the pleura. It is used to document various conditions such as respiratory failure, interstitial lung diseases, and pneumoconiosis.

Key Usage Points:

  • J96 codes are used for different types of respiratory failure, including acute, chronic, and unspecified.
  • J97-J98 codes are used for diseases of the mediastinum and diaphragm, and other diseases of the respiratory system, respectively.
  • J99 is used for respiratory disorders in diseases classified elsewhere.

Coding Guidelines

When to Use:

  • When a patient is diagnosed with respiratory failure.
  • When a patient has a disease of the mediastinum not classified elsewhere.
  • When a patient has a respiratory disorder in a disease classified elsewhere.

When NOT to Use:

  • When a patient has a specific respiratory disease that has its own code outside of J96-J99.
  • When a patient's respiratory condition is a symptom of another disease, not a separate condition.

Code Exclusions

Always verify exclusions with the latest ICD-10-CM official guidelines.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation for J96-J99 codes should clearly indicate the specific respiratory condition, its severity, and any related conditions or complications.

Clinical Information:

  • Specific respiratory condition
  • Severity of the condition
  • Related conditions or complications

Supporting Evidence:

  • Clinical notes
  • Lab results
  • Imaging results
Good Documentation Example:

Patient diagnosed with acute respiratory failure due to severe pneumonia.

Poor Documentation Example:

Patient has breathing problems.

Common Documentation Errors:

  • Not specifying the type of respiratory failure
  • Not documenting related conditions or complications

Range Statistics

Total Codes
13
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:10

Coding Complexity

Medium
Complexity Rating

Coding for J96-J99 can be complex due to the need to accurately identify the specific type of respiratory failure and any related conditions or complications.

Key Factors:
  • Determining the specific type of respiratory failure
  • Identifying related conditions or complications

Specialty Focus

J96-J99 codes are commonly used in pulmonology, critical care, and internal medicine.

Primary Specialties:
Pulmonology
60%
Clinical Scenarios:
  • A patient with acute respiratory failure due to severe pneumonia
  • A patient with chronic respiratory failure due to COPD

Resources & References

Resources for J96-J99 codes include the ICD-10-CM official guidelines, clinical reference materials, and educational resources.

Official Guidelines:

  • ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
  • American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) guidelines

Clinical References:

  • American Thoracic Society guidelines
  • American College of Chest Physicians guidelines

Educational Materials:

  • AHIMA ICD-10 training materials
  • AAPC ICD-10 training materials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can J96-J99 codes be used for respiratory symptoms?

No, J96-J99 codes should be used for specific respiratory conditions, not symptoms.