Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure ICD-10-CM Codes

What ICD-10 Codes Are Used for Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure?

One of medicine's most common and critical conditions is acute hypoxic respiratory failure. There are several Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure ICD-10 codes to consider when coding for this condition.

• J96.01 - Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. This code is for patients suffering from decreased oxygen levels in their blood and requiring immediate medical attention.
• J96.20 - Acute and chronic respiratory failure, unspecified, whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia. This code is used when the medical record doesn't clearly state if the respiratory failure is acute or chronic, hypoxic or hypercapnic.‍
• J96.21 - Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia. This code applies when an acute and chronic respiratory failure occurs, and the patient suffers from hypoxia.

Which Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure ICD Codes Are Billable?

Let's examine whether the aforementioned Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure ICD codes are billable.

• J96.01 - Yes, this code is billable, signifying a valid diagnosis for claim submission.
• J96.20 - Yes, this is also a billable code and can be used for claim submission.
• J96.21 - Yes, this code is billable, indicating an acceptable diagnosis for claims.

Clinical Information

Acute hypoxic respiratory failure is a medical emergency when the body doesn't get enough oxygen. Understanding this condition's clinical characteristics is critical. Here's a brief overview:

• Definition: Hypoxic respiratory failure occurs when oxygen's insufficient in the blood, but carbon dioxide levels remain within a normal range.
• Causes: Conditions that interfere with normal ventilation can lead to hypoxic respiratory failure. These include lung diseases such as pneumonia or COPD, trauma, near drowning, or severe asthma.
• Symptoms: Symptoms may include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, confusion, sweating, and a bluish color in the skin, lips, or fingernails.
• Treatment: Treatment often provides measures to support breathing, such as oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation, and addressing the underlying cause.

Synonyms Include:

• Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure
• Oxygenation Failure
• Type 1 Respiratory Failure