J39.1Other abscess of pharynx

J39.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other abscess of pharynx. It belongs to category J39 (other diseases of upper respiratory tract), 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 J39, choose J39.1 (Other abscess of pharynx) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess (J39.0), other diseases of pharynx (J39.2), upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reaction, site unspecified (J39.3), other specified diseases of upper respiratory tract (J39.8) and disease of upper respiratory tract, unspecified (J39.9).

As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.

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 152 (Otitis Media and URI with MCC, relative weight 1.1151) and DRG 153 (Otitis Media and URI without MCC, relative weight 0.7421), 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 478.21 (cellulitis of pharynx or nasopharynx).