2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R05.3Chronic cough

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R00-R09›R05

ICD-10-CM R05.3
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R05.3 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for chronic cough. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Respiratory signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R05.3
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Chronic cough
Short Description
Chronic cough
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R05
Cough

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR00-R09Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems
CategoryR05Cough
This CodeR05.3Chronic cough

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Chronic cough
  • Chronic refractory cough
  • Persistent cough
  • Postviral cough
  • Unexplained chronic cough
  • Unexplained cough

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Persistent cough
  • Refractory cough
  • Unexplained cough

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.

    • Cough(affected) (epidemic) (nervous)
      • chronic
    • Cough(affected) (epidemic) (nervous)
      • persistent
    • Cough(affected) (epidemic) (nervous)
      • refractory
    • Cough(affected) (epidemic) (nervous)
      • unexplained

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM013
Respiratory signs and symptoms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Chronic Cough

    cough lasting for greater than 8 weeks in adults potentially impacting health-related quality of life. chronic cough generally is associated with eosinophilic airway inflammation (e.g., asthma (cough-variant asthma) and non-asthmatic bronchitis, upper airway disorders, gerd and cough hypersensitivity syndrome).

Patient EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement R05.3 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • R05 - Cough
FY 2022AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2021.
FY 2023–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About R05.3Overview

Is R05.3 (Cough) a billable code?

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

Can R05.3 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the chronic cough is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

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.