ICD-10-CM 2026 · Effective October 1, 2025

ICD-10 J43.9

Billable / Specific HCC v28: 111

Emphysema, unspecified

J43
Block
4
Synonyms
327
LCDs
15
Payer Policies
1
Linked CPTs

About ICD-10-CM J43.9

ICD-10-CM code J43.9 represents Emphysema, unspecified. This is a billable/specific code in the Respiratory System chapter (block J43). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM J43.9 became effective on October 1, 2025.

Coding Tips for J43.9

Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.

HCC capture: document with MEAT each year

J43.9 is a CMS-HCC v28 risk-adjustment code (category 111). To count for the patient Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF), document the diagnosis with MEAT language each calendar year: Monitored, Evaluated, Assessed, Treated. A diagnosis on the problem list alone does not satisfy CMS RADV audit standards. Include the diagnosis in the assessment with current status and current treatment plan.

Inclusion Terms / Approximate Synonyms

Clinical terms and conditions classified under J43.9. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.

  • Bullous emphysema (lung)(pulmonary)
  • Emphysema (lung)(pulmonary) NOS
  • Emphysematous bleb
  • Vesicular emphysema (lung)(pulmonary)

Medicare Advantage HCC Impact

CMS-HCC v28 (current)
Category 111
ESRD-HCC
Category 111
RxHCC (Part D)
Category 111

Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate risk adjustment. Missed HCC captures are the #1 revenue leak in Medicare Advantage risk programs.

Medicare LCD Coverage for J43.9

Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list J43.9 as a covered diagnosis.

327 LCDs

Showing top 10 of 327 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.

CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Pulmonary Stress Testing
Article ID: 56784, Effective: 2024-10-01 00:00:00, 199 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 94618 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Pulmonary Stress Testing
Article ID: 56784, Effective: 2024-10-01 00:00:00, 199 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 94617 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Pulmonary Stress Testing
Article ID: 56784, Effective: 2024-10-01 00:00:00, 199 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 94619 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Pulmonary Stress Testing
Article ID: 56784, Effective: 2024-10-01 00:00:00, 199 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 94621 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Article ID: 53065, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 22208 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 29131 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Article ID: 53065, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 22208 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 29260 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Article ID: 53065, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 22208 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 29580 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Article ID: 53065, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 22208 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 97036 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Article ID: 53065, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 22208 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 29445 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Article ID: 53065, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 22208 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 97542 →

Commercial Payer Coverage

Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing J43.9.

15 policies

5 Medicare

Nebulizers - Policy Article
Policy ID: ART-52466
Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy
Policy ID: ART-53057
Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy
Policy ID: ART-53064
Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Policy ID: ART-53065
Billing and Coding: Computerized Axial Tomography (CT), Thorax
Policy ID: ART-56580

3 Aetna

Lung Denervation Therapy and Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
Policy ID: CPB-0160
Pulse Oximetry and Capnography for Home Use
Policy ID: CPB-0339
Lung Transplantation
Policy ID: CPB-0598

CPT Codes Commonly Billed with J43.9

Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.

1 linkages
  • 94729 DLCO — COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, dyspnea, chronic respiratory failure, acute respiratory failure Pulmonology

Convert J43.9 to ICD-9-CM

Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.

ICD-10ICD-9Mapping Flags
J43.9 4920 10000
J43.9 4928 10000

Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).

ICD-10 J43.9, Billing FAQ

Is ICD-10 code J43.9 billable? +

Yes, J43.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.

What other names or terms map to J43.9? +

ICD-10 J43.9 includes: Bullous emphysema (lung)(pulmonary); Emphysema (lung)(pulmonary) NOS; Emphysematous bleb, and 1 more clinical synonyms.

Does J43.9 affect Medicare Advantage HCC risk adjustment? +

Yes. J43.9 maps to CMS-HCC v28 category 111. Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate Medicare Advantage risk score.

What CPT codes are commonly billed with J43.9? +

Procedures frequently paired with J43.9 include: 94729.

What ICD-9 codes does J43.9 map to? +

Per CMS GEMs, J43.9 maps to ICD-9 codes: 4920, 4928. Useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.

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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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