Is J96 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. J96 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does J96 sit in the tabular list?

Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), in the block Other diseases of the respiratory system (J96-J99).

What cannot be coded together with J96?

J96 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.

J96

J96 — Respiratory failure, not elsewhere classified

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

J96 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for respiratory failure, 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.

acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80)
cardiorespiratory failure (R09.2)
newborn respiratory distress syndrome (P22.0)
postprocedural respiratory failure (J95.82-)
respiratory arrest (R09.2)
respiratory arrest of newborn (P28.81)
respiratory failure of newborn (P28.5)

Other codes that can never be billed with J96

These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at J96. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading J96 alone.

R06Abnormalities of breathing
R09Other symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory system
R09.2Respiratory arrest

Risk adjustment

J96 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 J96

4 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about J96

Is J96 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. J96 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does J96 sit in the tabular list?: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), in the block Other diseases of the respiratory system (J96-J99).
What cannot be coded together with J96?: J96 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.