Version 2024
No Valid Principal Dx

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R06

Abnormalities of breathing

ICD-10-CM Code:
R06
ICD-10 Code for:
Abnormalities of breathing
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
    (R00–R99)
    • Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems
      (R00-R09)
      • Abnormalities of breathing
        (R06)

R06 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of abnormalities of breathing. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

According to ICD-10-CM guidelines this code should not to be used as a principal diagnosis code when a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Specific Coding Applicable to Abnormalities of breathing

Non-specific codes like R06 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for abnormalities of breathing:

  • R06.0 for Dyspnea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.00 for Dyspnea, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.01 for Orthopnea - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.02 for Shortness of breath - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.03 for Acute respiratory distress - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.09 for Other forms of dyspnea - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.1 for Stridor - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.2 for Wheezing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.3 for Periodic breathing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.4 for Hyperventilation - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.5 for Mouth breathing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.6 for Hiccough - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.7 for Sneezing - BILLABLE CODE

  • R06.8 for Other abnormalities of breathing - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.81 for Apnea, not elsewhere classified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.82 for Tachypnea, not elsewhere classified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.83 for Snoring - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.89 for Other abnormalities of breathing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R06.9 for Unspecified abnormalities of breathing - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • acute respiratory distress syndrome J80
  • respiratory arrest R09.2
  • respiratory arrest of newborn P28.81
  • respiratory distress syndrome of newborn P22
  • respiratory failure J96
  • respiratory failure of newborn P28.5

Patient Education


Breathing Problems

When you're short of breath, it's hard or uncomfortable for you to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you're not getting enough air. Sometimes you can have mild breathing problems because of a stuffy nose or intense exercise. But shortness of breath can also be a sign of a serious disease.

Many conditions can make you feel short of breath:

  • Lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia
  • Problems with your trachea or bronchi, which are part of your airway system
  • Heart disease can make you feel breathless if your heart cannot pump enough blood to supply oxygen to your body
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Allergies

If you often have trouble breathing, it is important to find out the cause.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.