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    OpenPayerBilling CodesLung diseases due to external agentsICD-10-CM j68-respiratory-conditions-due-to-inhalation
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Respiratory Conditions Due To Inhalation Of Chemicals Gases Fumes And Vapors: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group J68 includes diagnoses for respiratory conditions caused by inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes, and vapors such as chemical pneumonitis and toxic effects on the lungs. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document exposure-related respiratory injury, capture disease severity and organ involvement, and record complications like acute respiratory failure when present. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM J68 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM J68: Respiratory Conditions Due To Inhalation Of Chemicals, Gases, Fumes And Vapors Overview

    This group represents lung and respiratory disorders caused by inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes, and vapors affecting the pulmonary system. It covers conditions ranging from acute chemical pneumonitis to chronic inhalation-related pulmonary disease and targets the lower respiratory tract. Accurate coding supports complete clinical documentation and helps ensure appropriate reimbursement for services related to diagnosis and management.

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    When to Use

    Use codes from this group when a respiratory condition is clinically attributed to inhalation of a chemical, gas, fume, or vapor, as documented in the medical record. Include additional codes for complications, severity, or external cause codes when required by coding guidelines and documentation.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    7 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    J68.0Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
    J68.1Pulmonary edema due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
    J68.2Upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, not elsewhere classified
    J68.3Other acute and subacute respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
    J68.4Chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
    J68.8Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
    J68.9Unspecified respiratory condition due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors

    DRG Codes

    6 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    189Pulmonary Edema and Respiratory Failure
    190Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with MCC
    191Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with CC
    192Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease without CC/MCC
    205Other Respiratory System Diagnoses with MCC
    206Other Respiratory System Diagnoses without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult construction worker presents to the emergency department with acute onset cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and hypoxemia after a large exposure to chlorine gas during a worksite accident; chest X-ray shows diffuse pulmonary infiltrates consistent with chemical inhalation injury, and treatment is initiated for acute toxic pneumonitis. A diagnosis from this group is assigned because respiratory symptoms and imaging are attributable to inhalation of a toxic gas causing acute lung injury. Typical codes: J68.0, J68.8
    • An elderly patient with a history of long-term exposure to volatile industrial solvents in a poorly ventilated workshop develops progressive exertional dyspnea, chronic cough, and restrictive physiology on pulmonary function testing over months; evaluation excludes primary interstitial lung disease and points to chronic inhalation-related lung damage. A code from this group is used to capture chronic respiratory disease due to ongoing inhalation of chemical fumes. Typical codes: J68.2, J68.8
    • A middle-aged smoker hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia has a comorbid acute exacerbation of underlying chronic pneumonitis caused by aspiration of gastric contents and chemical irritants following a vomiting episode, complicating his respiratory failure and extending hospitalization. A code from this group is assigned to document the lung disease from aspiration of irritant substances as a contributing condition. Typical codes: J68.4, J68.8

    Related Codes

    J60-COALWORKERS-PNEUMOCONIOSIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Coalworker's Pneumoconiosis: Group Overview

    J61-PNEUMOCONIOSIS-DUE-TO-ASBESTOS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Pneumoconiosis Due To Asbestos And Other Mineral Fibers: Group Overview

    J62-PNEUMOCONIOSIS-DUE-TO-SILICA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Pneumoconiosis Due To Dust Containing Silica: Group Overview

    J63-PNEUMOCONIOSIS-DUE-TO-OTHER-INORGANIC-DUSTS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Pneumoconiosis Due To Other Inorganic Dusts: Group Overview

    J64-UNSPECIFIED-PNEUMOCONIOSIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Pneumoconiosis: Group Overview

    J65-PNEUMOCONIOSIS-ASSOCIATED-WITH-TUBERCULOSIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Pneumoconiosis Associated With Tuberculosis: Group Overview

    J66-AIRWAY-DISEASE-DUE-TO-SPECIFIC-ORGANIC-DUST

    ICD-10-CM Code For Airway Disease Due To Specific Organic Dust: Group Overview

    J67-HYPERSENSITIVITY-PNEUMONITIS-DUE-TO-ORGANIC-DUST

    ICD-10-CM Code For Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Due To Organic Dust: Group Overview

    J69-PNEUMONITIS-DUE-TO-SOLIDS-AND-LIQUIDS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Pneumonitis Due To Solids And Liquids: Group Overview

    J70-RESPIRATORY-CONDITIONS-DUE-TO-OTHER-EXTERNAL-AGENTS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Respiratory Conditions Due To Other External Agents: 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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