Other diseases of upper respiratory tract (J39) ICD-10-CM
The J39 code range covers other diseases of upper respiratory tract 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.
Codes in the J39 Range 7 codes · 6 billable
- J39 Other diseases of upper respiratory tractNon-billable
- J39.0 Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
- J39.1 Other abscess of pharynx
- J39.2 Other diseases of pharynx
- J39.3 Upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reaction, site unspecified
- J39.8 Other specified diseases of upper respiratory tract
- J39.9 Disease of upper respiratory tract, unspecified
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the J39 range.
Retropharyngeal Abscess
An accumulation of purulent material in the space between the PHARYNX and the CERVICAL VERTEBRAE. This usually results from SUPPURATION of retropharyngeal LYMPH NODES in patients with UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS, perforation of the pharynx, or head and neck injuries.
About the J39 Code Range
The ICD-10 code section J39 covers various other diseases of the upper respiratory tract beyond common conditions. These codes are used to classify less typical infections, abscesses, hypersensitivity reactions, and anatomical or functional disorders affecting areas like the pharynx, trachea, and nasopharynx.
This code group includes specific codes such as J39.0 for retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses—also known as a mass of parapharyngeal space—and J39.1 for other abscesses of the pharynx, often linked to terms like cellulitis of the nasopharynx or pharyngeal bursitis. The category J39.2 addresses a broad range of pharyngeal conditions, including dryness, stenosis, spasms, ulcers, and velopharyngeal dysfunction, helping coders associate common names with complex diagnoses. Codes like J39.3 capture upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reactions without a specific site, while J39.8 covers other specified diseases such as tracheal stenosis, acquired tracheal fistulas, or tracheal hemorrhage. For unspecified upper respiratory diseases, J39.9 is applied to general disorders of the uvula, nasopharynx, or nose. Using the ICD-10 code for upper respiratory diseases in this section ensures accurate identification and documentation of these varied and less common upper airway conditions.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the J39 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 J39 range classify?
The range classifies other diseases of upper respiratory tract. 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.
