ICD-10 J69.0
Billable / Specific HCC v28: 114 MCCPneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
About ICD-10-CM J69.0
ICD-10-CM code J69.0 represents Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit. This is a billable/specific code in the Respiratory System chapter (block J69). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM J69.0 became effective on October 1, 2025.
Coding Tips for J69.0
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
J69.0 is a CMS-HCC v28 risk-adjustment code (category 114). 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.
J69.0 is designated MCC for MS-DRG grouping. On inpatient claims, this code can shift the DRG to the with-MCC variant when documented as a present-on-admission secondary diagnosis. Hospital CDI programs flag MCC opportunities during chart review. Failure to capture this code may leave 30 to 80 percent of the inpatient stay revenue unrealized.
Inclusion Terms / Approximate Synonyms
Clinical terms and conditions classified under J69.0. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.
- Aspiration pneumonia NOS
- Aspiration pneumonia (due to) food (regurgitated)
- Aspiration pneumonia (due to) gastric secretions
- Aspiration pneumonia (due to) milk
- Aspiration pneumonia (due to) vomit
Type 1 Excludes
Pure excludes, these codes can never be coded together with J69.0. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia (J95.4)
- obstetric aspiration pneumonitis (O74.0)
Coding Notes
Code Also
- any associated foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-)
Medicare Advantage HCC Impact
Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate risk adjustment. Missed HCC captures are the #1 revenue leak in Medicare Advantage risk programs.
Inpatient DRG Impact, MCC
codes Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit. As a Major Complication/Comorbidity (MCC), this can shift the DRG assignment to a higher-weighted category, substantial reimbursement impact.
Medicare LCD Coverage for J69.0
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list J69.0 as a covered diagnosis.
Showing top 10 of 108 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing J69.0.
5 Medicare
1 Aetna
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with J69.0
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.
Convert J69.0 to ICD-9-CM
Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.
| ICD-10 | ICD-9 | Mapping Flags |
|---|---|---|
| J69.0 | 5070 | 00000 |
Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).
Codes Adjacent To J69.0
Other codes in section J60-J70 (Lung diseases due to external agents).
ICD-10 J69.0, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code J69.0 billable? +
Yes, J69.0 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 J69.0? +
ICD-10 J69.0 includes: Aspiration pneumonia NOS; Aspiration pneumonia (due to) food (regurgitated); Aspiration pneumonia (due to) gastric secretions, and 2 more clinical synonyms.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for J69.0? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with J69.0): chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia (J95.4); obstetric aspiration pneumonitis (O74.0)
Does J69.0 affect Medicare Advantage HCC risk adjustment? +
Yes. J69.0 maps to CMS-HCC v28 category 114. Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate Medicare Advantage risk score.
Is J69.0 a CC or MCC for inpatient DRG? +
Yes, this code is designated as MCC. Documenting as a secondary diagnosis on inpatient claims can shift the DRG to a higher-weighted category.
What ICD-9 codes does J69.0 map to? +
Per CMS GEMs, J69.0 maps to ICD-9 codes: 5070. 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 May 31, 2026.
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