J98.8 Other specified respiratory disorders

The ICD-10-CM code for Other specified respiratory disorders is J98.8 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

10: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)

Section

J96-J99: Other diseases of the respiratory system (J96-J99)

Category J98

16 codes (12 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to J98.8:

• Obstruction, obstructed, obstructive › airway
• Decompensation › respiratory
• Infection, infected, infective (opportunistic) › respiratory (tract) NEC
• Inflammation, inflamed, inflammatory (with exudation) › chest
• Pneumatocele (lung) › tension
• Obstruction, obstructed, obstructive › respiratory
• Infection, infected, infective (opportunistic) › respiratory (tract) NEC › chronic
• Infection, infected, infective (opportunistic) › virus, viral NOS › chest

U.S. Hospital Utilization

• An estimated 12,360 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included J98.8 among the documented diagnoses.
• 1,225 stays listed it as the principal diagnosis.

Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.

Official Coding Guidelines

Respiratory infection NOS—assign U07.1 + J98.8

If the COVID-19 is documented as being associated with a respiratory infection, NOS, codes U07.1 and J98.8, Other specified respiratory disorders, should be assigned.

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.

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

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool
• AHRQ — HCUP National Inpatient Sample, Frequencies by Diagnosis Code (2016–2023)