2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J38Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J38

ICD-10-CM J38
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

J38 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J38.00, J38.01, J38.02, and J38.1.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J38
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
J30-J39
Other diseases of upper respiratory tract

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ30-J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
CategoryJ38Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
This CodeJ38Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified

Specific Coding for Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classifiedOverview

Non-specific codes like J38 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • J38.0 for Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx

  • Use J38.00 for Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified

  • Use J38.01 for Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral

  • Use J38.02 for Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, bilateral

  • Use J38.1 for Polyp of vocal cord and larynx

  • Use J38.2 for Nodules of vocal cords

  • Use J38.3 for Other diseases of vocal cords

  • Use J38.4 for Edema of larynx

  • Use J38.5 for Laryngeal spasm

  • Use J38.6 for Stenosis of larynx

  • Use J38.7 for Other diseases of larynx

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J38: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 10. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • congenital laryngeal stridor (P28.89)
  • obstructive laryngitis (acute) (J05.0)
  • postprocedural subglottic stenosis (J95.5)
  • stridor (R06.1)
  • ulcerative laryngitis (J04.0)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • smoke inhalation (T59.81-)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 codes
  • code, where applicable, to identify:
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 codes
  • When a respiratory condition is described as occurring in more than one site and is not specifically indexed, it should be classified to the lower anatomic site (e.g. tracheobronchitis to bronchitis in J40).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Patient EducationClinical

Throat Disorders

Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx. The technical name for your throat is the pharynx.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About J38Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified?

J38 is the ICD-10-CM category for diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is J38 (Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as J38.00, J38.01, and J38.02.

Can J38 be reported with P28.89?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on J38 lists "congenital laryngeal stridor (P28.89)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).