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Home/Diagnosis/ICD-10 Coding for Breathing Difficulty

ICD-10 Coding for Breathing Difficulty

R06.02
R06.03

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for icd-10 coding for breathing difficulty includes clinical validation requirements, medical necessity guidelines, and coding policies.

Also Known as:
Shortness of Breath
Dyspnea
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Key Information: ICD-10 Coding for Breathing Difficulty

Essential facts and insights about ICD-10 Coding for Breathing Difficulty

Use ICD-10 code R06.02 for shortness of breath, ensuring proper documentation in clinical notes.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes

Shortness of breath

Billable Code
R06.02
Billable

Diagnostic Criteria

clinical:
  • • Patient presents with unexplained dyspnea without acute respiratory distress.
coding:
  • • Exclude conditions listed under Excludes1 notes.

Applicable To

  • • Unexplained shortness of breath

Important Notes

  • • Ensure no Excludes1 conditions are present when using R06.02.

Acute respiratory distress

Billable Code
R06.03
Billable

Diagnostic Criteria

clinical:
  • • Respiratory rate >24
  • • Accessory muscle use
  • • PaO2 <60 mmHg

Applicable To

  • • Sudden-onset shortness of breath with hypoxia

Important Notes

  • • Document acute onset and clinical indicators clearly.
Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that may be used with this diagnosis

J44.9

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified

Use alongside R06.02 if COPD is present and contributes to the dyspnea.

I26.99

Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

Use if pulmonary embolism is confirmed as the cause of acute respiratory distress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ICD-10 code for breathing difficulty?

The ICD-10 code for general breathing difficulty is R06.02, which covers unexplained shortness of breath without acute distress.

When should R06.02 be used?

Use R06.02 for patients with unexplained shortness of breath without acute respiratory distress, ensuring no Excludes1 conditions are present.

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