Version 2024
No Valid Principal Dx

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R05

Cough

ICD-10-CM Code:
R05
ICD-10 Code for:
Cough
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
    (R00–R99)
    • Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems
      (R00-R09)

R05 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of cough. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

According to ICD-10-CM guidelines this code should not to be used as a principal diagnosis code when a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Specific Coding Applicable to Cough

Non-specific codes like R05 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for cough:

  • Use R05.1 for Acute cough - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R05.2 for Subacute cough - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R05.3 for Chronic cough - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R05.4 for Cough syncope - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R05.8 for Other specified cough - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use R05.9 for Cough, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Classification

Clinical Information

  • Antitussive Agents

    agents that suppress cough. they act centrally on the medullary cough center. expectorants, also used in the treatment of cough, act locally.
  • Cough

    a sudden, audible expulsion of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis, preceded by inhalation. it is a protective response that serves to clear the trachea, bronchi, and/or lungs of irritants and secretions, or to prevent aspiration of foreign materials into the lungs.
  • Headache Disorders, Primary

    conditions in which the primary symptom is headache and the headache cannot be attributed to any known causes.
  • Whooping Cough

    a respiratory infection caused by bordetella pertussis and characterized by paroxysmal coughing ending in a prolonged crowing intake of breath.
  • Expectorants

    agents that increase mucous excretion. mucolytic agents, that is drugs that liquefy mucous secretions, are also included here.
  • Headache

    the symptom of pain in the cranial region. it may be an isolated benign occurrence or manifestation of a wide variety of headache disorders.
  • Bordetella pertussis

    a species of gram-negative, aerobic bacteria that is the causative agent of whooping cough. its cells are minute coccobacilli that are surrounded by a slime sheath.

Convert R05 to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 786.2 - Cough

Patient Education


Cough

Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than 2 to 3 weeks. Acute coughs are the kind you most often get with a cold, flu, or acute bronchitis. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Causes of chronic cough include:

  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
  • Smoking
  • Throat disorders, such as croup in young children
  • Some medicines

Water can help ease your cough - whether you drink it or add it to the air with a steamy shower or vaporizer. If you have a cold or the flu, antihistamines may work better than non-prescription cough medicines. Children under four should not have cough medicine. For children over four, use caution and read labels carefully.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - Code Added, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.