2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J38.01Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J38

ICD-10-CM J38.01
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J38.01 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified and unspecified upper respiratory disease.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J38.01
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral
Short Description
Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
J38.0
Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx

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 CodeJ38.01Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Complete paralysis of left vocal cord
  • Complete paralysis of right vocal cord
  • Laryngeal hemiplegia
  • Laryngeal paresis
  • Paralysis of glottis
  • Paralysis of left vocal cord
  • Paralysis of right vocal cord
  • Paresis of left vocal cord
  • Paresis of right vocal cord
  • Vocal cord paralysis

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Compression
      • laryngeal nerve, recurrent
        • with paralysis of vocal cords and larynx
          • unilateral
    • Gerhardt's
      • syndrome (vocal cord paralysis)
        • unilateral
    • Laryngoplegia
      • unilateral
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • glottis
        • unilateral
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • laryngeal nerve (recurrent) (superior) (unilateral)
        • unilateral
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • larynx
        • unilateral
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • vocal cords
        • unilateral

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR RSP007
Other specified and unspecified upper respiratory disease
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Vocal Cord Paralysis

    congenital or acquired paralysis of one or both vocal cords. this condition is caused by defects in the central nervous system, the vagus nerve and branches of laryngeal nerves. common symptoms are voice disorders including hoarseness or aphonia.

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.

Convert J38.01 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
478.31 Vocal paral unilat part
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
478.32 Vocal paral unilat total
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About J38.01Overview

Is J38.01 (Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does J38.01 group to?

When paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of J38.01?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral converts to ICD-9-CM 478.31 (vocal paral unilat part) and 478.32 (vocal paral unilat total). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.