2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J43Emphysema

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J40-J4B›J43

ICD-10-CM J43
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

J43 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for emphysema, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J43.0, J43.1, J43.2, and J43.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J43
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Emphysema
Short Description
Emphysema
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
J40-J4B
Chronic lower respiratory diseases

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ40-J4BChronic lower respiratory diseases
CategoryJ43Emphysema
This CodeJ43Emphysema

Specific Coding for EmphysemaOverview

Non-specific codes like J43 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use J43.0 for Unilateral pulmonary emphysema [MacLeod's syndrome]

  • Use J43.1 for Panlobular emphysema

  • Use J43.2 for Centrilobular emphysema

  • Use J43.8 for Other emphysema

  • Use J43.9 for Emphysema, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J43: its own notes plus those printed at block J40-J4B and 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.

On J43 itself
  • compensatory emphysema (J98.3)
  • interstitial emphysema (J98.2)
  • mediastinal emphysema (J98.2)
  • neonatal interstitial emphysema (P25.0)
  • surgical (subcutaneous) emphysema (T81.82)
From Block J40-J4B Chronic lower respiratory diseases applies to 40 codes
  • bronchitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.0)

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.

On J43 itself
  • emphysema due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes or vapors (J68.4)
  • emphysema with chronic (obstructive) bronchitis (J44.-)
  • emphysematous (obstructive) bronchitis (J44.-)
  • traumatic subcutaneous emphysema (T79.7)
From Block J40-J4B Chronic lower respiratory diseases applies to 40 codes
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.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name J43, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention J43.

  • Z82.5 Family history of asthma and other chronic lower respiratory diseases
    Conditions classifiable to J40-J47 names J40-J47, which includes this code

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming J43: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • J44 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    emphysema without chronic bronchitis (J43.-)
  • T79.7 Traumatic subcutaneous emphysema
    emphysema NOS (J43)

Code Also 1

These codes say J43 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • J68.4 Chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
    emphysema (J43.-)

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Emphysema

    a pathological accumulation of air in tissues or organs.

Patient EducationClinical

Emphysema

Emphysema is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD is a group of lung diseases that make it hard to breathe and get worse over time. The other main type of COPD is chronic bronchitis. Most people with COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but how severe each type is can be different from person to person.

The full article covers:

  • What is emphysema?
  • What causes emphysema?
  • Who is at risk for emphysema?
  • What are the symptoms of emphysema?
  • How is emphysema diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for emphysema?
  • Can emphysema be prevented?

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 J43Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for emphysema?

J43 is the ICD-10-CM category for emphysema, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is J43 (Emphysema) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for emphysema, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for emphysema need a more specific code from this category, such as J43.0, J43.1, and J43.2.

Can J43 be reported with J98.3?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on J43 lists "compensatory emphysema (J98.3)". 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).