The ICD-10-CM code for shortness of breath is R06.02 (Shortness of breath), a billable code reported when a patient presents with difficulty breathing or dyspnea as a documented symptom.
Primary codes
Billable
Billable
Extension
—
7th character
—
POA exempt
No
Coding risks
- Sequencing as primary when this should be a secondary diagnosis
Hierarchy
Code comparison
Compare key differences between related codes to select the most specific option.
| Code | Description | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| R06.02 | Shortness of breath | Patient reports shortness of breath without positional trigger or acute distress noted. |
| R06.00 | Dyspnea, unspecified | Dyspnea documented without specifying type, positional trigger, or acute distress. |
| R06.01 | Orthopnea | Patient with dyspnea specifically when lying flat, relieved by sitting upright. |
| R06.03 | Acute respiratory distress | Patient presenting with acute respiratory distress documented, distinct from routine dyspnea or positional breathlessness. |
Select the most specific code supported by the encounter documentation. More specific codes improve reimbursement accuracy and reduce audit risk.
Code ranges
Dyspnea
Category covering breathing difficulty and related respiratory distress symptoms without an established underlying diagnosis.
Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems
Sub-chapter for symptoms and abnormal findings of the heart, vessels, and respiratory system without a confirmed diagnosis.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Chapter covering defined respiratory conditions including asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and other pulmonary diseases.
Other symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems
Category covering hypoxemia, respiratory arrest, stridor, and other respiratory signs not classified under R06.
Pain in throat and chest
Category for chest pain, pleuritic pain, and throat pain symptoms without an established underlying diagnosis.
Coding risks
Avoid these common coding issues when reporting Shortness of Breath.
Impact
Assigning R06.02 without explicit type may miscode orthopnea (R06.01) or acute respiratory distress (R06.03).
Mitigation
Consider querying the provider when positional or acuity language is absent rather than inferring from vitals or oxygen saturation.
Related codes
Ancillary and co-coding
Codes commonly reported with the primary diagnosis on the same claim.
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 R06.00 only when the chart documents dyspnea without specifying the type. If shortness of breath is stated, R06.02 is more specific.
References
Compiled from the following authoritative coding references. Last updated 2026-08-04.