2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R09.81Nasal congestion

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R00-R09›R09

ICD-10-CM R09.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R09.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for nasal congestion. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as congestion of nasal sinus. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Respiratory signs and symptoms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R09.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Nasal congestion
Short Description
Nasal congestion
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R09.8
Other specified symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR00-R09Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems
CategoryR09Other symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory system
This CodeR09.81Nasal congestion

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Congestion of nasal sinus
  • Nasal congestion
  • Respiratory tract congestion

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.

    • Congestion, congestive
      • nasal
    • Congestion, congestive
      • nose

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

Nose Injuries and Disorders

Your nose is important to your health. It filters the air you breathe, removing dust, germs, and irritants. It warms and moistens the air to keep your lungs and tubes that lead to them from drying out. Your nose also contains the nerve cells that help your sense of smell.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R09.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
478.19 Nasal & sinus dis NEC
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 R09.81Overview

Is R09.81 a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does R09.81 group to?

When nasal congestion is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R09.81 be a principal diagnosis?

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

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R09.81?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, nasal congestion converts to ICD-9-CM 478.19 (nasal & sinus dis NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.