Is ICD-10-CM code J96 billable?

No, J96 (Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified) 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 J96 belong to?

J96 belongs to Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM tabular list: J00–J99 (Diseases of the Respiratory System).

J96Non-billable

Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified

Diseases of the Respiratory System·Other diseases of the respiratory system (J96-J99)·category·FY 2026

Use a more specific code (0 billable, 4 non-billable)

J96.0Acute respiratory failurehas subcodes J96.1Chronic respiratory failurehas subcodes J96.2Acute and chronic respiratory failurehas subcodes J96.9Respiratory failure, unspecifiedhas subcodes

CH10 Parent Instructions

Excludes2(Not included here. Code separately if applicable.)

certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
neoplasms (C00-D49)
smoke inhalation (T59.81-)
symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Use Additional Code

code, where applicable, to identify:
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
tobacco dependence (F17.-)
tobacco use (Z72.0)

Instructional Notes

Excludes1(Not coded here. Use a different code.)

acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80)
cardiorespiratory failure (R09.2)
newborn respiratory distress syndrome (P22.0)
postprocedural respiratory failure (J95.82-)
respiratory arrest (R09.2)
respiratory arrest of newborn (P28.81)
respiratory failure of newborn (P28.5)

Clinical Hierarchy

BillableHas subcodes

CH10Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)

J96-J99Other diseases of the respiratory system (J96-J99)

J96Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classifiedNot billable

J96.0Acute respiratory failureSubcodes

J96.1Chronic respiratory failureSubcodes

J96.2Acute and chronic respiratory failureSubcodes

J96.9Respiratory failure, unspecifiedSubcodes

MS-DRG Classification

2026

No direct MS-DRG triggers identified.