ICD-10 J04
Non-Billable HeaderAcute laryngitis and tracheitis
About ICD-10-CM J04
ICD-10-CM code J04 represents Acute laryngitis and tracheitis. This is a non-billable header code in the Respiratory System chapter (block J04). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM J04 became effective on October 1, 2025. Non-billable codes cannot be used as a primary or secondary diagnosis on a claim, use a more specific child code instead.
Type 1 Excludes
Pure excludes, these codes can never be coded together with J04. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- acute obstructive laryngitis [croup] and epiglottitis (J05.-)
Type 2 Excludes
Not included here, the excluded code is not part of J04, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. Both codes may be coded together when applicable.
- laryngismus (stridulus) (J38.5)
Use Additional Code
When coding J04, also report these additional codes when applicable.
- code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.
Coding Notes
Code Also
- influenza, if present, such as:
- influenza due to identified novel influenza A virus with other respiratory manifestations (J09.X2)
- influenza due to other identified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J10.1)
- influenza due to unidentified influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J11.1)
Medicare LCD Coverage for J04
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list J04 as a covered diagnosis.
This doesn't mean the code isn't covered, it means no MAC has issued a Local Coverage Determination naming this specific code. Coverage may still apply under National Coverage Determinations or general medical-necessity rules.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing J04.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but J04 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with J04
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.
Codes Adjacent To J04
Other codes in section J00-J06 (Acute upper respiratory infections).
ICD-10 J04, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code J04 billable? +
No, J04 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block J04 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for J04? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with J04): acute obstructive laryngitis [croup] and epiglottitis (J05.-)
What codes are Type 2 Excludes for J04? +
Type 2 Excludes (may be coded together when both conditions exist): laryngismus (stridulus) (J38.5)
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 1, 2026.
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