2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J96Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J96-J99›J96

ICD-10-CM J96
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J96 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J96.00, J96.01, J96.02, and J96.10.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J96
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified
Chapter
J96-J99
Other diseases of the respiratory system

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ96-J99Other diseases of the respiratory system
CategoryJ96Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified
This CodeJ96Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified

Specific Coding for Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classifiedOverview

Non-specific codes like J96 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • J96.0 for Acute respiratory failure

  • Use J96.00 for Acute respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia

  • Use J96.01 for Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia

  • Use J96.02 for Acute respiratory failure with hypercapnia

  • J96.1 for Chronic respiratory failure

  • Use J96.10 for Chronic respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia

  • Use J96.11 for Chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia

  • Use J96.12 for Chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia

  • J96.2 for Acute and chronic respiratory failure

  • Use J96.20 for Acute and chronic respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia

  • Use J96.21 for Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia

  • Use J96.22 for Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia

  • J96.9 for Respiratory failure, unspecified

  • Use J96.90 for Respiratory failure, unspecified, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia

  • Use J96.91 for Respiratory failure, unspecified with hypoxia

  • Use J96.92 for Respiratory failure, unspecified with hypercapnia

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Type 1 Excludes

  • acute respiratory distress syndrome J80
  • cardiorespiratory failure R09.2
  • newborn respiratory distress syndrome P22.0
  • postprocedural respiratory failure J95.82
  • respiratory arrest R09.2
  • respiratory arrest of newborn P28.81
  • respiratory failure of newborn P28.5

Patient EducationClinical

Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure is a condition in which your blood doesn't have enough oxygen or has too much carbon dioxide. Sometimes you can have both problems.

The full article covers:

  • What is respiratory failure?
  • What causes respiratory failure?
  • What are the symptoms of respiratory failure?
  • How is respiratory failure diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for respiratory failure?

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About J96Overview

Is J96 (Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as J96.00, J96.01, and J96.02.