Diseases of the respiratory system
This chapter covers ICD-10-CM codes in the range J00-J99 for diseases of the respiratory system. Includes diseases of the respiratory system such as influenza, pneumonia, COPD, asthma, and respiratory failure.
Chapter Overview
Key Statistics
- •Contains 11 categories and 55 total codes
- •Includes 13 billable codes and 42 non-billable codes
- •Chapter range: J00-J99
Clinical Relevance
Essential for respiratory conditions including pneumonia, COPD, and asthma. Critical for pulmonology, emergency medicine, and hospitalist medicine.
Documentation Requirements
Requires organism identification for infections, severity staging for COPD, and trigger identification for asthma. Ventilator status affects coding.
Special Considerations
Pneumonia requires organism-specific coding. COPD exacerbations need specific documentation. Tobacco use requires additional codes.
Categories in this Chapter
Acute upper respiratory infections
Influenza and pneumonia
Other acute lower respiratory infections
Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
Chronic lower respiratory diseases
Lung diseases due to external agents
Other respiratory diseases principally affecting the interstitium
Suppurative and necrotic conditions of the lower respiratory tract
Other diseases of the pleura
Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of respiratory system
Other diseases of the respiratory system
Chapter-Specific Coding Guidelines
General Guidelines for Diseases of the respiratory system:
- Pneumonia coding requires organism identification when known
- Asthma and COPD have specific exacerbation coding rules
- Respiratory failure requires specification of type and acuity
- Use additional codes for smoking status and tobacco use
Documentation Requirements:
- •Specific respiratory condition and anatomical location
- •Acute vs chronic presentation
- •Causative organism for infectious conditions
- •Severity and functional impact
- •Smoking history and current status
Sequencing Rules:
- Acute respiratory failure may be principal or secondary
- Organism-specific pneumonia codes take precedence
- Exacerbations sequence according to treatment focus
- Use combination codes for related conditions
When to Use:
- ✓For primary respiratory conditions
- ✓When respiratory condition affects treatment
- ✓For acute respiratory distress
- ✓When documenting chronic respiratory diseases
When NOT to Use:
- ✗Normal respiratory function findings
- ✗Screening encounters without abnormalities
- ✗Congenital respiratory anomalies (use Q codes)
- ✗External causes without respiratory injury
Special Considerations:
- ⚠COVID-19 respiratory complications need specific coding
- ⚠Ventilator-associated conditions require additional codes
- ⚠Pulmonary embolism may be acute or chronic
- ⚠Occupational lung diseases need external cause codes
Version Updates
2025 updates focus on post-COVID respiratory conditions, advanced respiratory support, and precision pulmonology.
Recent Updates:
Post-COVID Respiratory Sequelae
Enhanced coding for long-term respiratory effects of COVID-19
Impact: Better tracking of post-viral respiratory conditions
Advanced Respiratory Support
New codes for ECMO and advanced mechanical ventilation
Impact: Improved documentation of critical care respiratory support
Implementation Guidance:
- •Update COVID-19 sequelae documentation
- •Review mechanical ventilation coding practices
- •Train on new respiratory support technologies
- •Implement quality checks for respiratory coding
Upcoming Changes:
- →Expanded telemedicine respiratory monitoring codes in 2026
- →Enhanced coding for personalized asthma treatment
- →New categories for air quality-related conditions
Related Resources
Key resources for respiratory coding, clinical guidelines, and treatment protocols.
Official Documentation:
Related Chapters:
Tools and References:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I code pneumonia when the organism is unknown?
Use J18.9 for pneumonia, unspecified organism. If clinical suspicion exists for specific organism, document and code accordingly.
What's the difference between asthma exacerbation and status asthmaticus?
Status asthmaticus (J46) is severe, prolonged asthma unresponsive to treatment. Exacerbation is worsening but responsive to treatment.
How do I code respiratory failure?
Specify type (J96.0- acute, J96.1- chronic, J96.2- acute on chronic) and whether hypoxic, hypercapnic, or both.