ICD-10-CM Code For Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group J38 includes disorders of the vocal cords and larynx not classified elsewhere, such as vocal fold nodules, paralysis, and other specified laryngeal conditions that affect phonation and airway function. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters for vocal cord and laryngeal pathology, capturing disease severity, structural involvement, and associated functional impairment relevant to this group. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM J38 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM J38: Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx, Not Elsewhere Classified Overview

This code group represents disorders affecting the vocal cords and larynx that are not classified elsewhere in the ICD-10-CM system, including structural and functional abnormalities of the laryngeal tissues. It targets conditions of the upper respiratory tract involved in voice production and airway protection. Accurate coding supports correct reimbursement by reflecting the specific laryngeal diagnosis and clinical complexity.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when the clinical documentation identifies a laryngeal or vocal cord disorder that does not have a more specific classification elsewhere in ICD-10-CM. Apply the most specific code available that reflects the documented diagnosis, laterality, and clinical details provided by the treating clinician.

ICD-10-CM Codes

10 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
J38.00	Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified
J38.01	Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral
J38.02	Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, bilateral
J38.1	Polyp of vocal cord and larynx
J38.2	Nodules of vocal cords
J38.3	Other diseases of vocal cords
J38.4	Edema of larynx
J38.5	Laryngeal spasm
J38.6	Stenosis of larynx
J38.7	Other diseases of larynx

DRG Codes

8 rows

DRG Code	Description
011	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC
012	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC
013	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC
154	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
155	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
156	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult presents to urgent care with sudden onset hoarseness and difficulty speaking after an upper respiratory infection and forceful coughing; laryngoscopic exam shows erythema and swelling of the vocal folds consistent with acute laryngitis affecting the vocal cords. A diagnosis from this group is assigned for the acute inflammatory disorder of the larynx causing dysphonia. Typical codes: J38.0, J38.1
A middle-aged professional singer reports progressive voice weakness and breathy quality over months, with voice therapy previously attempted; stroboscopic exam reveals bilateral vocal cord nodules and chronic dysphonia without airway compromise. This chronic, occupationally related lesion of the vocal cords is classified using a code from this group for noninfectious vocal cord pathology. Typical codes: J38.4, J38.3
An elderly inpatient with advanced neurodegenerative disease develops aspiration and recurrent respiratory infections; evaluation finds impaired vocal cord mobility with incomplete glottic closure contributing to aspiration risk. A code from this group is used to document the vocal cord dysfunction as a comorbidity contributing to the patient’s clinical course. Typical codes: J38.6, J38.2

Related Codes

J30-VASOMOTOR-AND-ALLERGIC-RHINITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Vasomotor And Allergic Rhinitis: Group Overview

J31-CHRONIC-RHINITIS-NASOPHARYNGITIS-PHARYNGITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Rhinitis Nasopharyngitis And Pharyngitis: Group Overview

J32-CHRONIC-SINUSITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Sinusitis: Group Overview

J33-NASAL-POLYP

ICD-10-CM Code For Nasal Polyp: Group Overview

J34-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-NASAL-DISORDERS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Disorders Of Nose And Nasal Sinuses: Group Overview

J35-CHRONIC-DISEASES-OF-TONSILS-AND-ADENOIDS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Diseases Of Tonsils And Adenoids: Group Overview

J36-PERITONSILLAR-ABSCESS

ICD-10-CM Code For Peritonsillar Abscess: Group Overview

J37-CHRONIC-LARYNGITIS-AND-LARYNGOTRACHEITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Laryngitis And Laryngotracheitis: Group Overview

J39-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-UPPER-RESPIRATORY-TRACT

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

10 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
J38.00	Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified
J38.01	Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral
J38.02	Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, bilateral
J38.1	Polyp of vocal cord and larynx
J38.2	Nodules of vocal cords
J38.3	Other diseases of vocal cords
J38.4	Edema of larynx
J38.5	Laryngeal spasm
J38.6	Stenosis of larynx
J38.7	Other diseases of larynx

DRG Codes

8 rows

DRG Code	Description
011	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC
012	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC
013	Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC
154	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
155	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
156	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult presents to urgent care with sudden onset hoarseness and difficulty speaking after an upper respiratory infection and forceful coughing; laryngoscopic exam shows erythema and swelling of the vocal folds consistent with acute laryngitis affecting the vocal cords. A diagnosis from this group is assigned for the acute inflammatory disorder of the larynx causing dysphonia. Typical codes: J38.0, J38.1
A middle-aged professional singer reports progressive voice weakness and breathy quality over months, with voice therapy previously attempted; stroboscopic exam reveals bilateral vocal cord nodules and chronic dysphonia without airway compromise. This chronic, occupationally related lesion of the vocal cords is classified using a code from this group for noninfectious vocal cord pathology. Typical codes: J38.4, J38.3
An elderly inpatient with advanced neurodegenerative disease develops aspiration and recurrent respiratory infections; evaluation finds impaired vocal cord mobility with incomplete glottic closure contributing to aspiration risk. A code from this group is used to document the vocal cord dysfunction as a comorbidity contributing to the patient’s clinical course. Typical codes: J38.6, J38.2

Related Codes

J30-VASOMOTOR-AND-ALLERGIC-RHINITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Vasomotor And Allergic Rhinitis: Group Overview

J31-CHRONIC-RHINITIS-NASOPHARYNGITIS-PHARYNGITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Rhinitis Nasopharyngitis And Pharyngitis: Group Overview

J32-CHRONIC-SINUSITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Sinusitis: Group Overview

J33-NASAL-POLYP

ICD-10-CM Code For Nasal Polyp: Group Overview

J34-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-NASAL-DISORDERS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Disorders Of Nose And Nasal Sinuses: Group Overview

J35-CHRONIC-DISEASES-OF-TONSILS-AND-ADENOIDS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Diseases Of Tonsils And Adenoids: Group Overview

J36-PERITONSILLAR-ABSCESS

ICD-10-CM Code For Peritonsillar Abscess: Group Overview

J37-CHRONIC-LARYNGITIS-AND-LARYNGOTRACHEITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Laryngitis And Laryngotracheitis: Group Overview

J39-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-UPPER-RESPIRATORY-TRACT

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM J38: Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx, Not Elsewhere Classified Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM J38: Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx, Not Elsewhere Classified Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which conditions are included in ICD-10-CM code group `J38`?

What specific codes are listed under the `J38` group?

How does accurate coding within `J38` affect clinical documentation and reimbursement?

Which DRGs may be related to diagnoses in the `J38` group?

What aspects of laryngeal disease does the `J38` group aim to capture?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which conditions are included in ICD-10-CM code group `J38`?

What specific codes are listed under the `J38` group?

How does accurate coding within `J38` affect clinical documentation and reimbursement?

Which DRGs may be related to diagnoses in the `J38` group?

What aspects of laryngeal disease does the `J38` group aim to capture?

References