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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

J38.2Nodules of vocal cords

✓ Billable / specific

J38.2 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for nodules of vocal cords. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

Looking up by condition? See ICD-10 code for Chorditis, ICD-10 code for Singer's node or nodule, ICD-10 code for Teacher's node or nodule.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About J38.2

J38.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Nodules of vocal cords. 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 (diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified), J38.2 is specifically for Nodules of vocal cords. Related codes cover paralysis of vocal cords and larynx (J38.0), polyp of vocal cord and larynx (J38.1), other diseases of vocal cords (J38.3), edema of larynx (J38.4), laryngeal spasm (J38.5), stenosis of larynx (J38.6) and other diseases of larynx (J38.7).

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) and DRG 156 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.6659), in Pre-MDC and MDC 03 (Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat), 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 478.5 (other diseases of vocal cords).

Coding notes

Applicable toConditions and synonyms classified to this code
  • Chorditis (fibrinous)(nodosa)(tuberosa)
  • Singer's nodes
  • Teacher's nodes

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to J38.2.

› From J38 Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
Excludes1
  • congenital laryngeal stridor (P28.89)
  • obstructive laryngitis (acute) (J05.0)
  • postprocedural subglottic stenosis (J95.5)
  • stridor (R06.1)
  • ulcerative laryngitis (J04.0)

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system.

Alphabetic index entries

9 entries

Terms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to J38.2.

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 478.5Other diseases of vocal cordsapproximate

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about J38.2

Is J38.2 billable?

Yes. J38.2 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can J38.2 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict J38.2 as a principal diagnosis.

Is J38.2 a CC or MCC?

No. J38.2 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does J38.2 group to?

J38.2 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 011 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC), MS-DRG 012 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC), MS-DRG 013 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 154 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC), MS-DRG 155 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC) and MS-DRG 156 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for J38.2?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map J38.2 to ICD-9-CM 478.5.