Abnormalities of breathing (R06) ICD-10-CM
The R06 code range covers abnormalities of breathing with 20 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 17 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Codes in the R06 Range 20 codes · 17 billable
- R06 Abnormalities of breathingNon-billable
- R06.0 DyspneaNon-billable
- R06.00 Dyspnea, unspecified
- R06.01 Orthopnea
- R06.02 Shortness of breath
- R06.03 Acute respiratory distress
- R06.09 Other forms of dyspnea
- R06.1 Stridor
- R06.2 Wheezing
- R06.3 Periodic breathing
- R06.4 Hyperventilation
- R06.5 Mouth breathing
- R06.6 Hiccough
- R06.7 Sneezing
- R06.8 Other abnormalities of breathingNon-billable
- R06.81 Apnea, not elsewhere classified
- R06.82 Tachypnea, not elsewhere classified
- R06.83 Snoring
- R06.89 Other abnormalities of breathing
- R06.9 Unspecified abnormalities of breathing
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the R06 range.
Acute Respiratory Distress
An abrupt onset of signs or symptoms indicating difficulty breathing including alterations in breath sounds and rate, chest retractions and color changes.
Apnea
A transient absence of spontaneous respiration.
Dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing.
Hiccup
A spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden inhalation followed by rapid closure of the glottis which produces a sound.
Hypercapnia
A clinical manifestation of abnormal increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in arterial blood.
Hyperventilation
A pulmonary ventilation rate faster than is metabolically necessary for the exchange of gases. It is the result of an increased frequency of breathing, an increased tidal volume, or a combination of both. It causes an excess intake of oxygen and the blowing off of carbon dioxide.
Hypoventilation
A reduction in the amount of air entering the pulmonary alveoli.
Mouth Breathing
Abnormal breathing through the mouth, usually associated with obstructive disorders of the nasal passages.
Orthopnea
Breathlessness in the recumbent position.
Sneezing
The sudden, forceful, involuntary expulsion of air from the NOSE and MOUTH caused by irritation to the MUCOUS MEMBRANES of the upper RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Snoring
Rough, noisy breathing during sleep, due to vibration of the uvula and soft palate.
Stridor
A symptom resulting from laryngeal obstruction. It is characterized by a high pitched breathing sound.
Tachypnea
Increased RESPIRATORY RATE.
About the R06 Code Range
Breathing problems in this category include breathlessness, changes in breathing patterns, and sounds such as wheezing and snoring.
R06.0 groups forms of dyspnea, meaning breathlessness, including shortness of breath and acute respiratory distress. Separate subdivisions name periodic breathing, hyperventilation, mouth breathing, hiccups, and sneezing. R06.8 groups other abnormalities, with separate codes for apnea, tachypnea, and snoring. R06.9 identifies an unspecified breathing abnormality.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the R06 range?
Of the 20 codes in this range, 17 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the R06 range classify?
The range classifies abnormalities of breathing. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
