J34.8211 ICD-10-CM Code: External nasal valve collapse, static

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for J34.8211 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2026Effective: October 1, 2025

Notes without a marker are published on J34.8211 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

7th Character Guide

• 0 — unspecified
• 1 — static (this page’s code)
• 2 — dynamic

Variant codes in this family

J34.8210, J34.8211, J34.8212

Character meanings are CMS's official 7th-character extensions for this family, as carried in each variant code's official description; variant codes are registry rows. The explanation of how the encounter character is assigned is MedCoder editorial, distinct from the official content above it.

Coder workflow for J34.8211

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code J34.8211

1. A 7th character is required in this family. Confirm the documentation supports the character assigned — its meaning in this family is defined in the official instruction. This page’s code carries “1”. The official 7th-character definitions for this family are quoted in the guide.

   See the 7th Character Guide

Choose the right path

1. Is the underlying (etiologic) condition the Code First note names documented?
   Yes → Sequence the underlying condition first, then J34.8211.
   No → Continue; do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

   ReviewJ34.2

2. Does the documentation support one of this family’s 7th-character values?
   Yes → Assign the matching 7th character; the variant codes are in the 7th Character Guide.
   No → The code is invalid without its 7th character — query for the missing element.

Consider J34.8211. Then confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement

Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).

7th-character basis

The documented element this family’s 7th character records (see the official definitions in the 7th Character Guide).

The underlying (etiologic) condition

Named in the Code First note; sequenced before this code when documented (Guidelines I.A.13).

Official instructions as workflow

• Excludes2 — not part of J34.8211(1 note)

  Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in J34.8211. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

  CompareI86.8

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

• Code First — sequencing check(2 notes)

  Coding workflow: Check whether the underlying or etiologic condition the note names is documented. When it is, sequence it before J34.8211. Do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

  ReviewJ34.2

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Indexed Clinical Terms (2)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.

• Collapse, nasal valve, external, static
• Narrowing, caudal septum, fixed, lower lateral cartilage, alar rim and nasal sill

Don’t confuse J34.8211 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of J34.8211 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

• J34.8210— Specificity relationship (Review)

  Overlapping diagnoses in the same category.

  Overlapping codes in the same category — the documentation decides which is the more specific fit.

  What moves you there: A record that documents no more than “External nasal valve collapse, unspecified” takes J34.8210; specificity in the record moves it back here.

  Full comparison: J34.8211 vs J34.8210 →

• J34.8212— Encounter relationship (Review)

  Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

  The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

  What moves you there: Documentation of a dynamic moves the case to J34.8212.

  Full comparison: J34.8211 vs J34.8212 →

• I86.8— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of varicose ulcer of nasal septum adds I86.8; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: J34.8211 vs I86.8 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

1. A 7th character applies in this family. Confirm the documented encounter matches the character assigned. See the official 7th-character definitions and this code’s variants
2. Sequencing: 2 Code First instructions — the underlying condition is sequenced before this code when present. See the Code First notes
3. 1 Excludes2 entry — those conditions are not part of this code and may be reported additionally when documented. See the Excludes2 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

• Principal-diagnosis restriction. The Medicare Code Editor lists this code as unacceptable as a principal diagnosis: it describes a circumstance influencing health status rather than a current illness or injury being treated. It is valid as a secondary diagnosis.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2026)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2026 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 4 MS-DRGs: DRG 154 (MDC 03), DRG 155 (MDC 03), DRG 156 (MDC 03), DRG 795 (MDC 15).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):RSP007 — Other specified and unspecified upper respiratory disease (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Principal diagnosis restriction (Medicare Code Editor)

Not acceptable as a principal diagnosis on an inpatient claim.

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Other specified and unspecified upper respiratory disease).

J33.9 — Nasal polyp, unspecified, J34.0 — Abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of nose, J34.1 — Cyst and mucocele of nose and nasal sinus, J34.2 — Deviated nasal septum, J34.3 — Hypertrophy of nasal turbinates, J34.81 — Nasal mucositis (ulcerative), J34.8200 — Internal nasal valve collapse, unspecified, J34.8201 — Internal nasal valve collapse, static, J34.8202 — Internal nasal valve collapse, dynamic, J34.8210 — External nasal valve collapse, unspecified, J34.8212 — External nasal valve collapse, dynamic, J34.829 — Nasal valve collapse, unspecified, J34.89 — Other specified disorders of nose and nasal sinuses, J34.9 — Unspecified disorder of nose and nasal sinuses, J37.0 — Chronic laryngitis, J37.1 — Chronic laryngotracheitis, J38.00 — Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified, J38.01 — Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral, J38.02 — Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, bilateral, J38.1 — Polyp of vocal cord and larynx, +24 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main terms “Narrowing”, “Collapse”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

A50.54 — Late congenital cardiovascular syphilis (artery, coronary, congenital, syphilitic), A52.06 — Other syphilitic heart involvement (artery, coronary, due to syphilis NEC), E27.2 — Addisonian crisis (adrenal), F44.89 — Other dissociative and conversion disorders (hysterical), F45.8 — Other somatoform disorders (neurocirculatory), F48.8 — Other specified nonpsychotic mental disorders (nervous), I65.8 — Occlusion and stenosis of other precerebral arteries (artery, auditory, internal), I77.1 — Stricture of artery (artery), J38.6 — Stenosis of larynx (larynx), J39.8 — Other specified diseases of upper respiratory tract (trachea), J98.09 — Other diseases of bronchus, not elsewhere classified (tracheobronchial), J98.19 — Other pulmonary collapse (lung), K55.059 — Acute (reversible) ischemia of intestine, part and extent unspecified (mesenteric artery), M26.89 — Other dentofacial anomalies (palate), M48.50 — Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified (vertebra), M48.51 — Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial region (vertebra, occipito-atlanto-axial region), M48.52 — Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervical region (vertebra, cervical region), M48.53 — Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervicothoracic region (vertebra, cervicothoracic region), M48.54 — Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, thoracic region (vertebra, thoracic region), M48.55 — Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, thoracolumbar region (vertebra, thoracolumbar region), +22 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of J34.8211 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Hierarchy

• J00-J99 — Chapter 10: Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99) (J00-J99)[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• J30-J39 — Other diseases of upper respiratory tract[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026

Clinical classification (CCSR)

• RSP007 — Other specified and unspecified upper respiratory disease[CCSR]— AHRQ CCSR for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses (HCUP)

MS-DRG Grouper

• DRG 154 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC[MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC (MDC 03)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 155 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH CC[MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH CC (MDC 03)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 156 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC[MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 03)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 795 — NORMAL NEWBORN[MS-DRG]: “NORMAL NEWBORN (MDC 15)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026

MDC crossing

• MDC 03 — Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 5,147 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026
• MDC 15 — Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period[MDC crossing]: “Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026

Index entries

• Collapse, nasal valve, external, static[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
• Narrowing, caudal septum, fixed, lower lateral cartilage, alar rim and nasal sill[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026

Nearest codes (24)

• J34 — Other and unspecified disorders of nose and nasal sinuses[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• J34.0 — Abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of nose[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• J34.1 — Cyst and mucocele of nose and nasal sinus[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• J34.2 — Deviated nasal septum[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• J34.3 — Hypertrophy of nasal turbinates[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• J34.8 — Other specified disorders of nose and nasal sinuses[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• J34.81 — Nasal mucositis (ulcerative)[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• J34.82 — Nasal valve collapse[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• and 16 more

Change history

• FY2025 — Added to the code set[Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2025

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data

CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Claim edits Official source data

CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Inpatient payment groups Official source data

CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v43 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data

CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship

Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears

Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation

Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to J34.8211 in its code family, with their registry titles.

• J34.8200 — Internal nasal valve collapse, unspecified
• J34.8201 — Internal nasal valve collapse, static
• J34.8202 — Internal nasal valve collapse, dynamic
• J34.821 — External nasal valve collapse
• J34.8210 — External nasal valve collapse, unspecified
• J34.8212 — External nasal valve collapse, dynamic
• J34.829 — Nasal valve collapse, unspecified
• J34.83 — Odontogenic sinusitis
• J34.830 — Odontogenic sinusitis, maxillary sinus
• J34.831 — Odontogenic sinusitis, ethmoid sinus

View all codes in the J34 family