J96 Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified

⚠ Non-Billable ICD-10-CM 2026
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The ICD-10-CM code for Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified is J96 (FY2026). It is a non-billable category code — select a more specific code below for claims.

Classification

Section
J96-J99: Other diseases of the respiratory system (J96-J99)
Category J96
17 codes (12 billable)
FY2026 Status
Stable since FY2024
Excludes1
Not coded here. These conditions should NOT be coded together with J96.
  • acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80)
  • cardiorespiratory failure (R09.2)
  • newborn respiratory distress syndrome (P22.0)
  • postprocedural respiratory failure (J95.82-)
  • respiratory arrest (R09.2)
  • respiratory arrest of newborn (P28.81)
  • respiratory failure of newborn (P28.5)

Official Coding Guidelines

COPD/asthma: acute exacerbation vs uncomplicated

a. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] and Asthma 1) Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis and asthma The codes in categories J44 and J45 distinguish between uncomplicated cases and those in acute exacerbation. An acute exacerbation is a worsening or a decompensation of a chronic condition. An acute exacerbation is not equivalent to an infection superimposed on a chronic condition, though an exacerbation may be triggered by an infection.

— ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026, Section I.C.10.a.1
Acute respiratory failure as principal diagnosis

b. Acute Respiratory Failure 1) Acute respiratory failure as principal diagnosis A code from subcategory J96.0, Acute respiratory failure, or subcategory J96.2, Acute and chronic respiratory failure, may be assigned as a principal diagnosis when it is the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission to the hospital, and the selection is supported by the Alphabetic Index and Tabular List. However, chapter- specific coding guidelines (such as obstetrics, poisoning, HIV, newborn) that provide sequencing direction take precedence.

— ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026, Section I.C.10.b.1

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

Cite This Page

Reference J96 with the canonical source and edition:

J96 — Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified. ICD-10 Coding Pro (ICD-10-CM FY2026). https://icd10codingpro.com/codes/J96

Canonical URL: https://icd10codingpro.com/codes/J96

Related Codes

More Specific Codes

J96.0 Acute respiratory failure J96.1 Chronic respiratory failure J96.2 Acute and chronic respiratory failure J96.9 Respiratory failure, unspecified

All Codes in J96

Every most-specific code under J96 Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified (12 codes):

Show the complete J96 code list
J96.00 Acute respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia J96.01 Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia J96.02 Acute respiratory failure with hypercapnia J96.10 Chronic respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia J96.11 Chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia J96.12 Chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia J96.20 Acute and chronic respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia J96.21 Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia J96.22 Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia J96.90 Respiratory failure, unspecified, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia J96.91 Respiratory failure, unspecified with hypoxia J96.92 Respiratory failure, unspecified with hypercapnia
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Reviewed by Prajwal Shrestha, CPC, CRC
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) · AAPC Member ID 01997614 · About · Editorial policy · Content last reviewed: 2025-10-01

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