2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R06.81Apnea, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R00-R09›R06

ICD-10-CM R06.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R06.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for apnea, not elsewhere classified. 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
R06.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Apnea, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Apnea, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R06.8
Other abnormalities of breathing

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR00-R09Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems
CategoryR06Abnormalities of breathing
This CodeR06.81Apnea, not elsewhere classified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Apnea
  • Apnea - anesthetic
  • Chemoreceptor apnea
  • Deglutition apnea
  • Difficulty eating
  • Difficulty eating due to breathlessness
  • Drug-induced apnea
  • Ether apnea
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease with apnea
  • Induced apnea
  • Infantile apnea
  • Initial apnea
  • Late apnea
  • Mivacurium apnea
  • Postanesthesia apnea
  • Recurrent apnea
  • Respiratory tract paralysis
  • Suxamethonium apnea
  • Terminal apnea
  • Traumatic apnea
  • Vagal apnea

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Apnea NOS

Type 1 Excludes

  • apnea of newborn P28.4
  • sleep apnea G47.3
  • sleep apnea of newborn primary P28.3

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.

    • Apnea, apneic(of) (spells)
    • Breathlessness
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • respiratory (muscle) (system) (tract)
    • Smothering spells

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

Patient EducationClinical

Breathing Problems

When you're short of breath, it's hard or uncomfortable for you to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you're not getting enough air. Sometimes you can have mild breathing problems because of a stuffy nose or intense exercise. But shortness of breath can also be a sign of a serious disease.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R06.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
786.03 Apnea
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 R06.81Overview

Is R06.81 (Other abnormalities of breathing) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report apnea, not elsewhere classified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Can R06.81 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the apnea, not elsewhere classified is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R06.81?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, apnea, not elsewhere classified converts to ICD-9-CM 786.03 (apnea). The mapping is a direct match.

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.