J38.01Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral

J38.01 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral. It belongs to category J38 (diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified), block J30-J39 (other diseases of upper respiratory tract) and chapter 10 (diseases of the respiratory system). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within J38.0 (paralysis of vocal cords and larynx), J38.01 is specifically for paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral. Related codes cover unspecified (J38.00) and bilateral (J38.02).

It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 011 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC, relative weight 5.6154), DRG 012 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC, relative weight 4.381), DRG 013 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC, relative weight 2.7307), DRG 154 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC, relative weight 1.5921), DRG 155 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC, relative weight 0.9322), DRG 156 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.6659) and 2 more, in Pre-MDC, MDC 03 (Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat) and MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 478.31 (unilateral paralysis of vocal cords or larynx, partial) and 478.32 (unilateral paralysis of vocal cords or larynx, complete).