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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther diseases of upper respiratory tractICD-10-CM j39-other-diseases-of-upper-respiratory-tract
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group J39 includes miscellaneous infectious and inflammatory conditions of the upper respiratory tract, such as disorders of the nasopharynx, accessory sinuses, and oropharynx. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios involving localized infections, inflammatory processes, or complications affecting structures of the upper respiratory tract, capturing disease severity and site specificity. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM J39 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM J39: Other Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract Overview

    The ICD-10-CM J39 group includes miscellaneous infectious and inflammatory conditions of the upper respiratory tract outside the nasal cavities and larynx. These diagnoses target structures such as the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and accessory sinuses and often reflect infections, inflammations, or other localized disorders. Accurate coding matters for correct clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement because it captures the specific anatomic site and clinical complexity.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when the clinical documentation specifies an upper respiratory tract condition localized to sites covered by J39 that is not better classified elsewhere. Codes in this group are selected when the diagnosis describes infections, inflammations, or other disorders of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, or related accessory structures.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    6 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    J39.0Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess
    J39.1Other abscess of pharynx
    J39.2Other diseases of pharynx
    J39.3Upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reaction, site unspecified
    J39.8Other specified diseases of upper respiratory tract
    J39.9Disease of upper respiratory tract, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    12 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    011Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC
    012Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC
    013Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC
    152Otitis Media and URI with MCC
    153Otitis Media and URI without MCC
    154Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
    155Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
    156Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
    202Bronchitis and Asthma with CC/MCC
    203Bronchitis and Asthma without CC/MCC
    791Prematurity with Major Problems
    793Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A middle-aged patient presents to urgent care with several days of progressive nasal obstruction, thick purulent postnasal drip, and foul-smelling breath after a recent upper respiratory infection; nasal endoscopy reveals purulence localized to one side of the nasal cavity consistent with an acute unilateral rhinologic infection. A diagnosis from this group is assigned to capture an acute infectious or obstructive disorder of the nasopharynx/nasal passages requiring short-term medical management. Typical codes: J39.0, J39.1
    • An adult with a history of chronic allergic rhinitis and recurrent nasal polyp formation attends an ENT clinic for evaluation of persistent nasal stuffiness, anosmia, and intermittent epistaxis despite medical therapy; examination documents chronic mucosal changes and chronic inflammation of the nasopharyngeal or nasal mucosa. A code from this group is used to represent a chronic upper airway disorder of the nasopharynx or nasal cavity as a comorbid chronic condition influencing ongoing care. Typical codes: J39.2, J39.8
    • An elderly patient hospitalized for an acute stroke develops new inspiratory stridor and signs of upper airway compromise; ENT consult identifies pharyngeal edema and vocal fold dysfunction due to neurologic impairment and aspiration risk. A diagnosis from this group is assigned to describe an acute complication of neurologic disease causing upper respiratory tract obstruction or dysfunction that affects inpatient management and airway planning. Typical codes: J39.3, J39.9

    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

    J38-DISEASES-OF-VOCAL-CORDS-AND-LARYNX

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

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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