Cough (R05) ICD-10-CM
The R05 code range covers cough with 7 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 6 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, 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.
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
- cough with hemorrhage R04.2
Codes in the R05 Range 7 codes · 6 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the R05 range.
Antitussive Agents
Agents that suppress cough. They act centrally on the medullary cough center. EXPECTORANTS, also used in the treatment of cough, act locally.
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.
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).
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.
Cough-Variant Asthma
Asthma which is characterized by CHRONIC COUGH that is nonproductive without other asthmatic symptoms, e.g., WHEEZING, and PAROXYSMAL DYSPNEA. Cough-variant asthma is accompanied by AIRWAY HYPERSENSITIVITY and may progress to classical asthma without treatment.
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.
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.
About the R05 Code Range
ICD-10 code R05 and its subcategories are used to classify different types of cough, ranging from acute to chronic forms. These codes help specify the duration or nature of the cough symptom in patient records and billing.
The main code R05 covers general cough, while subcodes provide details such as R05.1 for acute cough, R05.2 for subacute cough, and R05.3 for chronic cough, which is also known as unexplained chronic cough or persistent cough. R05.4 represents cough syncope, a type of situational fainting triggered by coughing, also called tussive syncope. Other specified coughs like tracheal esophageal fistula cough fall under R05.8. If the cough type isn’t clearly defined, R05.9 is used for unspecified cough, capturing a wide range of presentations such as dry, productive, nocturnal, or barking cough. These ICD-10 codes for cough allow healthcare providers and coders to accurately document respiratory symptoms linked to various clinical situations and improve clarity in medical records.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the R05 range?
Of the 7 codes in this range, 6 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the R05 range classify?
The range classifies cough. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
