The ICD-10-CM code for acute hypoxic respiratory failure is J96.01 (Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia), a billable code reported when respiratory failure presents with hypoxia rather than hypercapnia or mixed gas exchange abnormality.
Primary codes
Billable
Billable
Extension
—
7th character
—
POA exempt
No
Coding risks
- Coding based on lab values alone without provider interpretation
Hierarchy
Code comparison
Compare key differences between related codes to select the most specific option.
| Code | Description | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| J96.01 | Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia | Acute respiratory failure with documented hypoxia, no hypercapnia or chronic component noted. |
| J96.00 | Acute respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia | Acute respiratory failure documented without specification of hypoxia or hypercapnia in the chart. |
| J96.02 | Acute respiratory failure with hypercapnia | Acute respiratory failure with documented hypercapnia, without chronic component or hypoxia specified. |
| J96.21 | Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia | Acute-on-chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia documented, indicating baseline chronic failure with acute decompensation. |
Select the most specific code supported by the encounter documentation. More specific codes improve reimbursement accuracy and reduce audit risk.
Code ranges
Acute respiratory failure
Sudden-onset failure of gas exchange specified by oxygenation status, including unspecified, hypoxic, and hypercapnic subtypes.
Other diseases of the respiratory system
Residual respiratory conditions including respiratory failure, postprocedural respiratory disorders, and other unclassified pulmonary diseases.
Acute and chronic respiratory failure
Mixed-pattern respiratory failure showing both acute decompensation and an underlying chronic component, subtyped by oxygenation status.
Chronic respiratory failure
Long-standing impairment of gas exchange without acute decompensation, subtyped as hypoxic, hypercapnic, or unspecified.
Asphyxia and hypoxemia
Symptom codes for hypoxemia and asphyxia not attributed to a documented respiratory failure diagnosis.
Coding risks
Avoid these common coding issues when reporting Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure.
Impact
Assigning J96.01 without explicit gas exchange abnormality may miscode as J96.00 or J96.02.
Mitigation
Consider querying the provider when the axis is absent rather than inferring from oxygen saturation or ABG values.
Related codes
Ancillary and co-coding
Codes commonly reported with the primary diagnosis on the same claim.
Z-code variants
Family history, personal history, or screening encounter codes related to this condition.
In pregnancy
Pregnancy-specific O-code adaptations used in place of the primary when the condition occurs during or complicates pregnancy.
Differential codes
Alternative or commonly confused codes to consider when documentation suggests a different condition than the primary diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Use J96.00 only when documentation does not clarify hypoxia or hypercapnia. Query the provider whenever the gas-exchange abnormality could be specified.
References
Compiled from the following authoritative coding references. Last updated 2026-05-15.