ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for aspiration pneumonia
Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Pneumonia (acute) (double) (migratory) (purulent) (septic) (unresolved) › aspiration”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding aspiration pneumonia
The ICD-10-CM code for aspiration pneumonia is J69.0 (Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit). The official index lists 19 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on J69.0.
Within J69 (pneumonitis due to solids and liquids), J69.0 is specifically for pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit. Related codes cover oils and essences (J69.1) and other solids and liquids (J69.8).
Don't report J69.0 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia (J95.4) and obstetric aspiration pneumonitis (O74.0).
As a secondary diagnosis it is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the highest-paying "with MCC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.
More specific aspiration pneumonia codes (official index)
- due to
- aspiration of microorganisms
- bacterial J15.9 — Unspecified bacterial pneumonia
- viral J12.9 — Viral pneumonia, unspecified
- food (regurgitated) J69.0 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
- gastric secretions J69.0 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
- milk (regurgitated) J69.0 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
- oils, essences J69.1 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of oils and essences
- solids, liquids NEC J69.8 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of other solids and liquids
- vomitus J69.0 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
- newborn P24.81 — Other neonatal aspiration with respiratory symptoms
- amniotic fluid (clear) P24.11 — Neonatal aspiration of (clear) amniotic fluid and mucus with respiratory symptoms
- blood P24.21 — Neonatal aspiration of blood with respiratory symptoms
- liquor (amnii) P24.11 — Neonatal aspiration of (clear) amniotic fluid and mucus with respiratory symptoms
- meconium P24.01 — Meconium aspiration with respiratory symptoms
- milk P24.31 — Neonatal aspiration of milk and regurgitated food with respiratory symptoms
- mucus P24.11 — Neonatal aspiration of (clear) amniotic fluid and mucus with respiratory symptoms
- food (regurgitated) P24.31 — Neonatal aspiration of milk and regurgitated food with respiratory symptoms
- specified NEC P24.81 — Other neonatal aspiration with respiratory symptoms
- stomach contents P24.31 — Neonatal aspiration of milk and regurgitated food with respiratory symptoms
- postprocedural J95.4 — Chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia
Don't confuse with (Excludes1 for J69.0)
Common questions about aspiration pneumonia ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for aspiration pneumonia?
- J69.0 — Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: J15.9, J12.9, J69.0, J69.0 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for newborn aspiration pneumonia?
- P24.81 — Other neonatal aspiration with respiratory symptoms.
What is the ICD-10 code for postprocedural aspiration pneumonia?
- J95.4 — Chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia.
Is J69.0 billable?
- Yes. J69.0 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can J69.0 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict J69.0 as a principal diagnosis.
Is J69.0 a CC or MCC?
- J69.0 is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.