2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D38.6Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D37-D48›D38
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
D38.6 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 180 through 182. Coders also document this condition as neoplasm of uncertain behavior of digestive and respiratory systems. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this 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 ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
Patient EducationClinical
Lung Diseases
When you breathe, your lungs take in oxygen from the air and deliver it to the bloodstream. The cells in your body need oxygen to work and grow. During a normal day, you breathe nearly 25,000 times. People with lung disease have difficulty breathing. Millions of people in the U.S. have lung disease.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
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Convert D38.6 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About D38.6Overview
Is D38.6 a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does D38.6 group to?
When neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 180, 181, 182, with relative weights from 0.7440 to 1.7660 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D38.6?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 235.9 (unc behav neo resp NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
