J96.0
⚠ Non-billable (Header)Acute respiratory failure
Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
⚠️ This is a category header code — not billable. Use a more specific child code below.
❌ Excludes1
inheritedRules inherited from parent codes in the hierarchy.
- • 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)
Child Codes (3)
Clinical Description
ICD-10-CM code J96.0 represents acute respiratory failure. This code falls under the Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) classification. It is a non-billable category header code. A more specific child code from the list below must be used for billing and reimbursement purposes.
This is a 5-character code at the 4th level of specificity. There are 3 more specific child codes under J96.0. Coders should note that J96.0 has 7 Excludes1 restriction(s) — codes that cannot be reported together on the same claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ICD-10 code J96.0?
ICD-10-CM code J96.0 is "Acute respiratory failure". It belongs to the category: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).
Is J96.0 a billable ICD-10 code?
No, J96.0 is a non-billable header code. A more specific child code must be used for billing.
What codes are excluded with J96.0?
J96.0 has 7 Excludes1 rule(s). These codes are mutually exclusive and cannot be coded together on the same claim.
Related Codes in J96
Other codes in the same category that may be relevant for differential coding:
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Data Source
CMS ICD-10-CM 2026 Tabular List
Updated October 1, 2025 (FY2026)