2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D38.6

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Code:
D38.6
ICD-10 Code for:
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unsp
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes
      (D37-D48)
      • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs
        (D38)

D38.6 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

The following anatomical sites found in the Table of Neoplasms reference this diagnosis code given the correct histological behavior: Neoplasm, neoplastic respiratory or Neoplasm, neoplastic respiratory organs or system NEC .

Unspecified diagnosis codes like D38.6 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of digestive and respiratory systems
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory and intrathoracic organs
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory tract

Clinical Classification

Convert D38.6 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 235.9 - Unc behav neo resp NEC
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Table of Neoplasms

This code is referenced in the table of neoplasms by anatomical site. For each site there are six possible code numbers according to whether the neoplasm in question is malignant, benign, in situ, of uncertain behavior, or of unspecified nature. The description of the neoplasm will often indicate which of the six columns is appropriate.

Where such descriptors are not present, the remainder of the Index should be consulted where guidance is given to the appropriate column for each morphological (histological) variety listed. However, the guidance in the Index can be overridden if one of the descriptors mentioned above is present.

Neoplasm, neoplastic Malignant
Primary
Malignant
Secondary
CaInSitu Benign Uncertain
Behavior
Unspecified
Behavior
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »respiratory
C39.9C78.30D02.4D14.4D38.6D49.1
»Neoplasm, neoplastic
  »respiratory
    »organs or system NEC
C39.9C78.30D02.4D14.4D38.6D49.1

Patient Education


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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.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.