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.

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 hypercapniaYes, 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 adequate oxygen supply or remove carbon dioxide from the blood.
• It can be acute or chronic, resulting from lung infections, COPD, 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.
• 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.
• Prevention involves managing risk factors like smoking, treating respiratory illnesses promptly, and adhering to prescribed therapies.
• Respiratory failure 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