2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J39

ICD-10-CM J39
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

J39 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other diseases of upper respiratory tract, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J39.0, J39.1, J39.2, and J39.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J39
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
Short Description
Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
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
CategoryJ39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
This CodeJ39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract

Specific Coding for Other diseases of upper respiratory tractOverview

Non-specific codes like J39 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use J39.0 for Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess

  • Use J39.1 for Other abscess of pharynx

  • Use J39.2 for Other diseases of pharynx

  • Use J39.3 for Upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reaction, site unspecified

  • Use J39.8 for Other specified diseases of upper respiratory tract

  • Use J39.9 for Disease of upper respiratory tract, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J39: 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.

  • acute respiratory infection NOS (J22)
  • acute upper respiratory infection (J06.9)
  • upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes or vapors (J68.2)

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

Bronchial Disorders

When you breathe in, the air travels down through your trachea (windpipe). It then goes through two tubes to your lungs. These tubes are your bronchi. Bronchial disorders can make it hard for you to breathe.

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 J39Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other diseases of upper respiratory tract?

J39 is the ICD-10-CM category for other diseases of upper respiratory tract, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is J39 (Other diseases of upper respiratory tract) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other diseases of upper respiratory tract, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other diseases of upper respiratory tract need a more specific code from this category, such as J39.0, J39.1, and J39.2.

Can J39 be reported with J22?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on J39 lists "acute respiratory infection NOS (J22)". 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).