Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified (J96) ICD-10-CM
The J96 code range covers respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified with 17 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 12 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 J96 Range 17 codes · 12 billable
- J96 Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classifiedNon-billable
- J96.0 Acute respiratory failureNon-billable
- 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 failureNon-billable
- 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 failureNon-billable
- 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, unspecifiedNon-billable
- 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
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the J96 range.
Acute Respiratory Failure
Life-threatening respiratory failure that develops rapidly. Causes include injury, sepsis, drug overdose, and pancreatitis. It manifests with dyspnea and cyanosis and may lead to cardiovascular shock.
Respiratory Failure
The significant impairment of gas exchange within the lungs resulting in hypoxia, hypercarbia, or both, to the extent that organ tissue perfusion is severely compromised. Causes include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, and congestive heart failure. Treatment requires intubation and mechanical ventilation until the time the lungs recover sufficient function.
About the J96 Code Range
Respiratory failure occurs when gas exchange in the lungs is severely impaired, resulting in low oxygen, high carbon dioxide, or both.
J96 separates acute respiratory failure (J96.0), chronic respiratory failure (J96.1), and acute and chronic respiratory failure together (J96.2). J96.9 applies when the type is unspecified. Each group then separates cases with hypoxia, with hypercapnia, or unspecified as to either finding. Hypoxia means low oxygen; hypercapnia means high carbon dioxide.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the J96 range?
Of the 17 codes in this range, 12 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 J96 range classify?
The range classifies respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified. 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.
