J96.2 Acute and chronic respiratory failure
The ICD-10-CM code for Acute and chronic respiratory failure is J96.2 (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
Inclusion Terms
- Acute on chronic respiratory failure
Official Coding Guidelines
Acute respiratory failure as principal diagnosisb. 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.
COPD/asthma: acute exacerbation vs uncomplicateda. 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.
Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026