2027 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 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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
Short Description
Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J96: 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 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)

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.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name J96, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 3

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming J96: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • R06 Abnormalities of breathing
    respiratory failure (J96.-)
  • R09 Other symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory system
    respiratory failure (J96.-)
  • R09.2 Respiratory arrest
    respiratory failure (J96.-)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming J96: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • J95.82 Postprocedural respiratory failure
    respiratory failure in other conditions (J96.-)

Code Also 1

These codes say J96 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • E87.20 Acidosis, unspecified
    if applicable, respiratory failure with hypercapnia (J96. with 5th character 2)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Respiratory Failure

    the significant impairment of gas exchange within the lungs resulting in hypoxia, hypercarbia, or both, to the extent that organ tissue perfusion is severely compromised. causes include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, and congestive heart failure. treatment requires intubation and mechanical ventilation until the time the lungs recover sufficient function.

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About J96Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified?

J96 is the ICD-10-CM category for respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

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.

Can J96 be reported with J80?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on J96 lists "acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80)". 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).