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J68.8 ICD-10-CM Code: Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors

Compare with another code for J68.8Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

Tabular directives
2 Excludes2 · 2 use-additional instructions · 1 code-first instruction
Risk adjustment
CMS-HCC V28: 1 category · CMS-HCC V22 category 112

Billable · FY2027A valid, specific ICD-10-CM code, reportable for dates of service in FY2027.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too, and is marked with where it comes from.

Code firstfrom J68Sequence the underlying condition before this code
Use additional codefrom J68Report with this code when documented
  • Use additional code to identify associated respiratory conditions, such as:
  • acute respiratory failure (J96.0-)
Excludes2from J60-J70Not included here; may be reported together
  • asthma (J45.-)
  • malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung (C34.-)

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 10: Diseases of the Respiratory SystemJ60-J70 Lung diseases due to external agentsJ68 Respiratory conditions due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors

Most relevant related codes MedCoder-derived

Read off the official notes above and this code’s own position in the tabular list. Which to report is a documentation question; Compare shows the two side by side.

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 190 — CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WITH MCC (MDC 04)
  • MS-DRG 191 — CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WITH CC (MDC 04)
  • MS-DRG 192 — CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 04)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Risk Adjustment (CMS-HCC)

Payment categories this diagnosis maps to under CMS-HCC V28, payment year 2026.

  • HCC 280 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders

Other models: CMS-HCC V22 HCC 112

Risk scores depend on the enrollee's full accepted diagnosis set and segment; a category mapping alone does not determine payment.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for J68.8 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on J68.8 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Source: inherited from J60-J70

Code First

Underlying conditions that must be sequenced before this code.

Source: inherited from J68

Use Additional Code

Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.

  • Use additional code to identify associated respiratory conditions, such as:
  • acute respiratory failure (J96.0-)

Source: inherited from J68

Coder workflow for J68.8

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

Before you code J68.8

  1. “Other” (NEC) means the condition is specified in the record but no dedicated code captures it. Confirm the documented form is not one a sibling code names before settling on J68.8; if the record states no specifics at all, the unspecified sibling applies instead. “Other” codes are for documented conditions the classification gives no specific code; “unspecified” codes are for records lacking the detail (Guidelines I.A.9.a, I.A.9.b).

    ReviewJ68.0, J68.1, J68.4

    See the relationships section · Guide: Other vs unspecified (NEC vs NOS) →

  2. J68.8’s title joins a condition with an associated condition or complication. Confirm each component is documented. Where the classification presumes the link through the “with” convention, only a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it. A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; a required second code for the stage, type or manifestation is still reported when the notes ask for it (Guidelines I.B.9, I.A.15).

    Guide: Combination codes →

Choose the right path

  1. Is the underlying (etiologic) condition the Code First note names documented?
    Yes → Sequence the underlying condition first, then J68.8.
    No → Continue; do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

Consider J68.8. Then work the Use Additional Code note, and 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).
Acuity
Acute or chronic as documented; when both are documented and separate codes exist, both are reported with the acute code first (Guidelines I.B.8).
The associated condition or complication
Whether the associated condition the title names is documented; the “with” convention presumes some links, and a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it (Guidelines I.A.15).
The underlying (etiologic) condition
Named in the Code First note; sequenced before this code when documented (Guidelines I.A.13).
The conditions the Use Additional Code note names
Reported with this code when documented; a conditional instruction (“if applicable”, “if known”) applies only when the record supports it.
Any detail beyond this code’s title
What the record states that a more specific code would capture — or its absence, which itself supports the unspecified code.

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes2 — not part of J68.8(2 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in J68.8. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareJ45, C34

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

  • Code First — sequencing check(1 note)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the underlying or etiologic condition the note names is documented. When it is, sequence it before J68.8. Do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

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

  • Use Additional Code — after identifying J68.8(2 notes)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the documentation supports the additional code(s) the note names, and report them with J68.8 when it does. Where the instruction is conditional (“if applicable”, “if known”), it applies only when the record documents the condition.

    ReviewJ96.0

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

Coding decision scenarios

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

Documentation: Only one of the components this code’s title joins is documented.

Coding question: Is J68.8 supported?

Path: Review the code for the documented component on its own.

Reason: A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; otherwise the documented component takes its own code (Guidelines I.B.9).

Documentation: The underlying condition the Code First note names is documented alongside this condition.

Coding question: How are the two sequenced?

Path: Review the Code First note.

Reason: The underlying condition is sequenced first and the manifestation follows (Guidelines I.A.13).

Documentation: A condition the Use Additional Code note names is documented.

Coding question: Is a second code reported with J68.8?

Path: Review the Use Additional Code note and the code it names.

Reason: The additional code is reported when the record documents the condition; a conditional instruction applies only when its condition is met (Guidelines I.A.13).

ReviewJ96.0

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.

Don’t confuse J68.8 with…

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

The codes most likely to be picked instead of J68.8 — 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.

  • J68.9— 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 “Unspecified respiratory condition due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors” takes J68.9; specificity in the record moves it back here.

    Full comparison: J68.8 vs J68.9 →

  • J45— 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 asthma adds J45; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: J68.8 vs J45 →

  • C34— 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 malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung adds C34; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: J68.8 vs C34 →

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.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (J68.8).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Decision Points

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

  1. Sequencing: 1 Code First instruction — the underlying condition is sequenced before this code when present. See the Code First notes
  2. 2 Use Additional Code instructions — report the named additional code(s) when the documentation supports them. See the Use Additional Code notes
  3. 2 Excludes2 entries — 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

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

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-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name J68.8 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 1 Excludes1 note: J81 — Pulmonary edema (via J68.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 5 Excludes2 notes: J18 — Pneumonia, unspecified organism (via J68.-), J44.1 — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation (via J68.-), J44.9 — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified (via J68.-), J45.909 — Unspecified asthma, uncomplicated (via J68.-), J84 — Other interstitial pulmonary diseases (via J68.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

Referenced by 1 Code First instruction: J84.170 — Interstitial lung disease with progressive fibrotic phenotype in diseases classified elsewhere (via J68.-).

Each of these codes carries a Code First note naming this condition — when that code is reported, THIS code is sequenced first, ahead of it.

Referenced by 16 Use Additional Code instructions: T51 — Toxic effect of alcohol (via J68.-), T51-T65 — Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source (T51-T65) (via J68.-), T52 — Toxic effect of organic solvents (via J68.-), T53 — Toxic effect of halogen derivatives of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (via J68.-), T54 — Toxic effect of corrosive substances (via J68.-), T55 — Toxic effect of soaps and detergents (via J68.-), T56 — Toxic effect of metals (via J68.-), T57 — Toxic effect of other inorganic substances (via J68.-), T58 — Toxic effect of carbon monoxide (via J68.-), T59 — Toxic effect of other gases, fumes and vapors (via J68.-), T60 — Toxic effect of pesticides (via J68.-), T61 — Toxic effect of noxious substances eaten as seafood (via J68.-), T62 — Toxic effect of other noxious substances eaten as food (via J68.-), T63 — Toxic effect of contact with venomous animals and plants (via J68.-), T64 — Toxic effect of aflatoxin and other mycotoxin food contaminants (via J68.-), T65 — Toxic effect of other and unspecified substances (via J68.-).

These codes instruct coders to additionally report this code when it applies.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 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 3 MS-DRGs: DRG 190 (MDC 04), DRG 191 (MDC 04), DRG 192 (MDC 04).

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

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):RSP013 — Lung disease due to external agents (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

Same CMS-HCC risk category (V28)

CMS maps these diagnoses to the same Hierarchical Condition Category (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders) for risk-adjusted payment.

J67.5 — Mushroom-worker's lung, J67.6 — Maple-bark-stripper's lung, J67.7 — Air conditioner and humidifier lung, J67.8 — Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to other organic dusts, J67.9 — Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to unspecified organic dust, J68.0 — Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J68.1 — Pulmonary edema due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J68.2 — Upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, not elsewhere classified, J68.3 — Other acute and subacute respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J68.4 — Chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J68.9 — Unspecified respiratory condition due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J82.81 — Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, J84.01 — Alveolar proteinosis, J84.02 — Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, J84.03 — Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis, J84.09 — Other alveolar and parieto-alveolar conditions, J84.10 — Pulmonary fibrosis, unspecified, J84.111 — Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, not otherwise specified, J84.113 — Idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonitis, J84.114 — Acute interstitial pneumonitis, +58 more

Related risk categories

These categories interact through CMS's HCC hierarchy — one can suppress the other's risk-adjustment weight when both are present on a claim.

Lung Transplant Status/Complications, Cystic Fibrosis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Lung Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis, Severe Persistent Asthma

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Lung disease due to external agents).

J67.5 — Mushroom-worker's lung, J67.6 — Maple-bark-stripper's lung, J67.7 — Air conditioner and humidifier lung, J67.8 — Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to other organic dusts, J67.9 — Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to unspecified organic dust, J68.0 — Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J68.1 — Pulmonary edema due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J68.2 — Upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, not elsewhere classified, J68.3 — Other acute and subacute respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J68.4 — Chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J68.9 — Unspecified respiratory condition due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, J69.1 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of oils and essences, J69.8 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of other solids and liquids, J70.0 — Acute pulmonary manifestations due to radiation, J70.1 — Chronic and other pulmonary manifestations due to radiation, J70.2 — Acute drug-induced interstitial lung disorders, J70.3 — Chronic drug-induced interstitial lung disorders, J70.4 — Drug-induced interstitial lung disorders, unspecified, J70.5 — Respiratory conditions due to smoke inhalation, J70.8 — Respiratory conditions due to other specified external agents, +24 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of J68.8 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.

Run J68.8 with these 15 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

  • J81 — Pulmonary edema[Excludes1](via J68.-): “pulmonary edema due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Referenced by Code First instructions

Referenced by Use Additional Code instructions (16)

  • T51 — Toxic effect of alcohol[Use Additional Code](via J68.-): “for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T51-T65 — Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source (T51-T65)[Use Additional Code](via J68.-): “for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T52 — Toxic effect of organic solvents[Use Additional Code](via J68.-): “for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T53 — Toxic effect of halogen derivatives of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons[Use Additional Code](via J68.-): “for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T54 — Toxic effect of corrosive substances[Use Additional Code](via J68.-): “for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T55 — Toxic effect of soaps and detergents[Use Additional Code](via J68.-): “for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T56 — Toxic effect of metals[Use Additional Code](via J68.-): “for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T57 — Toxic effect of other inorganic substances[Use Additional Code](via J68.-): “for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • and 8 more

Clinical classification (CCSR)

Risk adjustment (CMS-HCC)

  • HCC 280 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders [CMS-HCC]— CMS-HCC V28 · 2026

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 04 — Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System — 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. 4,000 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Index entries

  • Disease, diseased, silo-filler's[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Silo-fillers' disease[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027

Nearest codes

Change history

  • FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Reference

Index terms and tables, published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

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.

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 FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 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 — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Risk adjustment Official source data
2026 Mid-Year Final ICD-10 Mappings + Model Software (cms.gov/files/zip/2026-midyear-final-icd-10-mappings.zip, 2026-midyear-final-model-software.zip) — CMS-HCC V28, PY2026 mid-year final release 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-derived 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 editorial 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.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 28, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "J68.8 — Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/j68.8-other-respiratory-conditions-due-to-chemicals-gases-fumes-and-vapors

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors

No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027, and none are recorded for this code. Note changes are tracked from FY2027 only.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to J68.8 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the J68 family