Hypoxia ICD-10-CM Codes

Are these hypoxia ICD codes billable?

Yes—all listed ICD-10 codes, including R09.02 for hypoxemia, are valid and billable in 2025. When coding, be mindful of specificity: whether the condition is acute or chronic, with or without hypercapnia, and if hypoxia is unspecified or part of other symptoms.

Clinical information about hypoxia

Hypoxia occurs when tissues receive insufficient oxygen, often due to hypoxemia. This oxygen deficit disrupts the normal function of organs and tissues, particularly those in the circulatory and respiratory systems. Clinical evaluation typically includes checking for signs involving abnormal breathing patterns, laboratory findings such as low arterial oxygen pressure, and other problems like altered mental status.

Common causes of hypoxemia—and by extension, hypoxia—include conditions such as:

• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Asthma
• Anemia
• Heart failure

These affect oxygen intake, delivery, or absorption in the lungs and tissues.

When tissues don’t receive enough oxygen, the body tries to compensate, resulting in noticeable signs and symptoms:

• Elevated heart rate (tachycardia)
• Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
• Shortness of breath or labored breathing
• Headaches and fatigue
• Restlessness or anxiety

In extreme cases, patients may exhibit a slower heart rate, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin), or loss of consciousness. These serious clinical signs require immediate intervention, often involving oxygen therapy and treatment of the underlying condition.

Synonyms include:

• Pulmonary hypertension due to lung disease and/or hypoxia
• Hypoxemic respiratory failure
• Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure
• Acute respiratory failure
• Chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure
• Chronic respiratory failure
• Corneal hypoxia
• Brain damage due to hypoxia
• Intrauterine hypoxia
• Fetal hypoxia
• Subdural hemorrhage due to intrapartum anoxia and/or hypoxia