Is ICD-10-CM code J68 billable?

No, J68 (Respiratory conditions due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code. It must be coded to a more specific subcategory before it can be used for reimbursement.

What chapter does ICD-10-CM code J68 belong to?

J68 belongs to Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM tabular list: J00–J99 (Diseases of the Respiratory System).

J68Not billable, use a more specific code below

Respiratory conditions due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors

In Lung diseases due to external agents (J60-J70), chapter 10: Diseases of the Respiratory System

7 billable codes under J68: 1 is an MCC, 1 is a CC; all map to HCC 280 (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders).A CC or MCC (major CC) is a secondary diagnosis that raises the MS-DRG payment. An HCC counts toward a Medicare Advantage patient's risk score.

Instructional notes

Code first: code the underlying condition first, then this code

(T51-T65) to identify cause

Use additional code: add a second code for this, listed after this one

code to identify associated respiratory conditions, such as:
acute respiratory failure (J96.0-)

Also applies, from Lung diseases due to external agents (J60-J70)

These notes sit on J60-J70 and apply to every code under it, including J68.

Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable

asthma (J45.-)
malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung (C34.-)

Official coding guidelines

From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.

Covers COPD and asthma exacerbations, sequencing of acute respiratory failure, confirmed versus suspected identified influenza, ventilator associated pneumonia, and vaping-related disorders.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] and Asthma (page 56)
Acute Respiratory Failure (page 56)
Influenza due to certain identified influenza viruses (page 57)
Ventilator associated Pneumonia (page 57)
Vaping-related disorders (page 58)

Read Section I.C.10 (page 56)

All codes under J68

J68 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

J68 MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, the billable codes under J68 group to MS-DRG 190, 191, 192, 205, 206, or 189 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

DRG 190 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with MCC (3 of 7 codes)
DRG 191 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with CC (3 of 7 codes)
DRG 192 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease without CC/MCC (3 of 7 codes)
DRG 205 Other Respiratory System Diagnoses with MCC (3 of 7 codes)
DRG 206 Other Respiratory System Diagnoses without MCC (3 of 7 codes)
DRG 189 Pulmonary Edema and Respiratory Failure (1 of 7 codes)

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

Inhalation Injuries

Inhalation injuries are acute injuries to your respiratory system and lungs. They can happen if you breathe in toxic substances, such as smoke (from fires), chemicals, particle pollution, and gases. Inhalation injuries can also be caused by extreme heat; these are a type of thermal injuries. Over half of deaths from fires are due to inhalation injuries.

Interstitial Lung Diseases

Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. The inflammation and scarring make it hard to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis.

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.