J39
Non-Billable

Other diseases of upper respiratory tract

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Other diseases of upper respiratory tract?

ICD-10-CM J39 is the diagnosis code for Other diseases of upper respiratory tract. 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 non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for J39

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J39. They are mutually exclusive:

  • acute respiratory infection NOS (J22)
  • acute upper respiratory infection (J06.9)
  • upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes or vapors (J68.2)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J39 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Current CodeJ39 — Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
Sub-Codes 6 entries
J39.0Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscessBillableJ39.1Other abscess of pharynxBillableJ39.2Other diseases of pharynxBillableJ39.3Upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reaction, site unspecifiedBillableJ39.8Other specified diseases of upper respiratory tractBillableJ39.9Disease of upper respiratory tract, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J39 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, J39 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does J39 mean?

J39 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Other diseases of upper respiratory tract". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is J39 in?

J39 is located in Section J30-J39 — "Other diseases of upper respiratory tract" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of J39?

J39 has 6 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: J39.0, J39.1, J39.2, J39.3, J39.8 and more.

When should I use J39?

Use J39 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Other diseases of upper respiratory tract" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Other diseases of upper respiratory tract?

The ICD-10-CM code for Other diseases of upper respiratory tract is J39.

Can J39 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, J39 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is J39 in?

J39 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from J39?

Type 1 Excludes for J39 include: acute respiratory infection NOS (J22); acute upper respiratory infection (J06.9); upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes or vapors (J68.2).

Is J39 valid for 2026?

Yes, J39 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ38.7Other diseases of larynxNext →J39.0Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
Code Details
J39
Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J30-J39 — Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
2026 ICD-10-CM