Is J38 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. J38 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does J38 sit in the tabular list?

Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), in the block Other diseases of upper respiratory tract (J30-J39).

What cannot be coded together with J38?

J38 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.

J38

J38 — Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

J38 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below.

Excludes1 — never code together

These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.

congenital laryngeal stridor (P28.89)
obstructive laryngitis (acute) (J05.0)
postprocedural subglottic stenosis (J95.5)
stridor (R06.1)
ulcerative laryngitis (J04.0)

Other codes that can never be billed with J38

These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at J38. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading J38 alone.

M12Other and unspecified arthropathy
R06.1Stridor
R60Edema, not elsewhere classified
D14.1Benign neoplasm of larynx

Risk adjustment

J38 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.

Code to one of these instead J38

8 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about J38

Is J38 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. J38 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does J38 sit in the tabular list?: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), in the block Other diseases of upper respiratory tract (J30-J39).
What cannot be coded together with J38?: J38 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.