2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J96.21Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J96-J99›J96

ICD-10-CM J96.21
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J96.21 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 928 through 929. Coders also document this condition as acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Respiratory failure; insufficiency; arrest.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J96.21
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia
Short Description
Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
J96.2
Acute and chronic respiratory failure

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ96-J99Other diseases of the respiratory system
CategoryJ96Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified
This CodeJ96.21Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure
  • Acute on chronic hypoxemic and hypercapnic respiratory failure
  • Acute on chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure
  • Acute-on-chronic respiratory failure
  • Chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure
  • Chronic respiratory failure
  • Hypoxemic respiratory failure

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.

    • Failure, failed
      • respiration, respiratory
        • acute and (on) chronic
          • with
            • hypoxia

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR RSP012
Respiratory failure; insufficiency; arrest
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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.

Convert J96.21 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
518.53 Ac/chr rsp flr fol tr/sg
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
518.84 Acute & chronc resp fail
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 J96.21Overview

Is J96.21 (Acute and chronic respiratory failure) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does J96.21 group to?

When acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 928, 929, with relative weights from 3.2208 to 7.1727 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of J96.21?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia converts to ICD-9-CM 518.53 (ac/chr rsp flr fol tr/sg) and 518.84 (acute & chronc resp fail). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.