Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified (J96)
The ICD-10 code section J96 covers various types of respiratory failure not classified elsewhere. It includes codes for acute, chronic, combined acute and chronic respiratory failure, as well as unspecified cases.
This section is used to code respiratory failure conditions characterized by inadequate oxygenation or carbon dioxide removal. The ICD-10 code for acute respiratory failure starts with J96.0, including subcodes like J96.01 for hypoxemic respiratory failure and J96.02 for hypercapnic respiratory failure. Synonyms such as "acute respiratory failure requiring reintubation" help clarify coding choices. Chronic respiratory failure is coded under J96.1 with subcategories for hypoxia (J96.11) and hypercapnia (J96.12). When acute and chronic conditions coexist, codes beginning with J96.2 apply, with options specifying hypoxia or hypercapnia. Unspecified respiratory failure codes, such as J96.9, cover cases without clear classification. Recognizing terms like "hypoxemic respiratory failure," "hypercapnic respiratory failure," or related synonyms assists medical coders and healthcare providers in selecting the precise code for documentation and billing.
Diseases of the respiratory system (J00–J99)
Other diseases of the respiratory system (J96-J99)
J96 Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified
J96.0 Acute respiratory failure
- J96.00 Acute respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia
- J96.01 Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia
- J96.02 Acute respiratory failure with hypercapnia
J96.1 Chronic respiratory failure
- J96.10 Chronic respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia
- J96.11 Chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia
- J96.12 Chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia
J96.2 Acute and chronic respiratory failure
- J96.20 Acute and chronic respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia
- J96.21 Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia
- J96.22 Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia
J96.9 Respiratory failure, unspecified
- J96.90 Respiratory failure, unspecified, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia
- J96.91 Respiratory failure, unspecified with hypoxia
- J96.92 Respiratory failure, unspecified with hypercapnia
Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified (J96)
Instructional Notations
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.
- acute respiratory distress syndrome J80
- cardiorespiratory failure R09.2
- newborn respiratory distress syndrome P22.0
- postprocedural respiratory failure J95.82
- respiratory arrest R09.2
- respiratory arrest of newborn P28.81
- respiratory failure of newborn P28.5
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Hypercapnia
A clinical manifestation of abnormal increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in arterial blood.
