Respiratory Failure ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 codes are used for respiratory failure?

Respiratory failure is a critical condition requiring accurate coding for medical documentation and billing. Below are six commonly used respiratory failure ICD codes, along with their comprehensive clinical descriptions:

J96.00 - Acute respiratory failure, unspecified, whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia

Used when acute respiratory failure is diagnosed but not specified as being accompanied by hypoxia or hypercapnia.

J96.01 - Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia

This code indicates acute respiratory failure accompanied by low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia).

J96.02 - Acute respiratory failure with hypercapnia

Employed when acute respiratory failure is accompanied by elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood (hypercapnia).

J96.10 - Chronic respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia

Used for cases of chronic respiratory failure without specific indication of hypoxia or hypercapnia.

J96.11 - Chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia

This code signifies chronic respiratory failure with associated hypoxia.

J96.12 - Chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia

Used for chronic respiratory failure cases with elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Use the appropriate codes for any respiratory failure-diagnosed patients you're dealing with.

Which respiratory failure ICD codes are billable 

The following ICD-10-CM codes for respiratory failure are billable:

J96.00 - Acute respiratory failure, unspecified, whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia 

Yes, this code is billable when acute respiratory failure is diagnosed without specification of accompanying hypoxia or hypercapnia.

J96.01 - Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia

Yes, billable code for acute respiratory failure accompanied by low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia).
J96.02 - Acute respiratory failure with hypercapnia

Yes, Billable code when acute respiratory failure is accompanied by elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood (hypercapnia).

J96.10 - Chronic respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia 

Yes, this code is billable for cases of chronic respiratory failure without specific indications of hypoxia or hypercapnia.

J96.11 - Chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia

Yes, billable code for chronic respiratory failure with associated hypoxia.

‍J96.12 - Chronic respiratory failure with hypercapnia

Yes, billable code for chronic respiratory failure cases with elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Clinical information

• Respiratory failure is when the respiratory system fails to maintain and remove oxygen and carbon dioxide (respectively) from the blood. This means that a person with respiratory failure has too much carbon dioxide in their lungs.
• The diaphragm and breathing muscles don't get enough oxygen-rich blood.
• It can be acute or chronic, resulting from lung infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary edema, interstitial emphysema, or heart failure.
• Symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, confusion, cyanosis (bluish skin), and altered mental status.
• Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation, blood gas analysis, chest X-rays, and lung function tests.
• Treatment aims to improve oxygenation and ventilation, often requiring oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation (breathing machines) to ensure patients get enough oxygen.
• Underlying causes, such as treating infections or managing chronic respiratory conditions, must be addressed.
• Intensive care may be necessary for severe cases; monitoring is vital to prevent complications.
• Prognosis varies based on the underlying cause, overall health, and timeliness of treatment.
• Preventing respiratory failure depends on managing risk factors like smoking, treating respiratory illnesses promptly, and adhering to prescribed therapies, especially ones that can help regulate blood flow and remove carbon dioxide.
• Respiratory failure is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention, especially if symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening.

Synonyms include

• Lung failure
• Breathing failure
• Respiratory insufficiency
• Inadequate oxygenation
• Carbon dioxide retention
• Perioperative respiratory failure
• Respiratory failure caused by high carbon dioxide levels

Popular search terms for respiratory failure ICD codes

• Respiratory failure ICD-10 code
• ICD-10 respiratory failure
• Respiratory failure diagnosis codes
• ICD-10 codes for respiratory failure