Billable / Specific Code
ICD-10-CM J39.0 is the diagnosis code for Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess. This code falls under the section "Other diseases of upper respiratory tract" within Chapter 10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99). It is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J39.0. They are mutually exclusive:
Understanding where J39.0 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
Yes, J39.0 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
J39.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
The parent code of J39.0 is J39 ("Other diseases of upper respiratory tract"). J39.0 provides a more specific classification within this category.
J39.0 is located in Section J30-J39 — "Other diseases of upper respiratory tract" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Use J39.0 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess is J39.0.
Yes, J39.0 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.
J39.0 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Type 1 Excludes for J39.0 include: peritonsillar abscess (J36).
Yes, J39.0 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.