2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J38.2Nodules of vocal cords

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J38

ICD-10-CM J38.2
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J38.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for nodules of vocal cords. 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. Coders also document this condition as chorditis. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified and unspecified upper respiratory disease.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J38.2
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Nodules of vocal cords
Short Description
Nodules of vocal cords
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
J38
Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified

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 CodeJ38.2Nodules of vocal cords

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Chorditis
  • Chorditis vocalis inferior
  • Contact ulcer of vocal folds
  • Fibrinous chorditis
  • Singers' nodes
  • Ulcer of larynx
  • Vocal cord ulcer
  • Vocal nodules in adults
  • Vocal nodules in children

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Chorditis (fibrinous)(nodosa)(tuberosa)
  • Singer's nodes
  • Teacher's nodes

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.

    • Chorditis(fibrinous) (nodosa) (tuberosa)
    • Node(s)
      • singer's
    • Node(s)
      • teacher's
    • Node(s)
      • vocal cord
    • Nodule(s), nodular
      • singer's
    • Nodule(s), nodular
      • teacher's
    • Nodule(s), nodular
      • vocal cord
    • Singer's node or nodule
    • Teacher's node or nodule

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

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 J38.2 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
478.5 Vocal cord disease NEC
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 J38.2Overview

Is J38.2 (Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does J38.2 group to?

When nodules of vocal cords 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 J38.2?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, nodules of vocal cords converts to ICD-9-CM 478.5 (vocal cord disease 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.