ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for respiratory distress
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Distress › respiratory (adult) (child)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding respiratory distress
The ICD-10-CM code for respiratory distress is R06.03 (Acute respiratory distress). The official index lists 6 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on R06.03.
Within R06.0 (dyspnea), R06.03 is specifically for acute respiratory distress. Related codes cover unspecified (R06.00), Orthopnea (R06.01), Shortness of breath (R06.02) and other forms of dyspnea (R06.09).
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 204 (Respiratory Signs and Symptoms, relative weight 0.821), in MDC 04 (Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific respiratory distress codes (official index)
Common questions about respiratory distress ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for respiratory distress?
- R06.03 — Acute respiratory distress. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: P22.9, P22.8, R06.01, F45.8 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for newborn respiratory distress?
- P22.9 — Respiratory distress of newborn, unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for orthopnea respiratory distress?
- R06.01 — Orthopnea.
What is the ICD-10 code for psychogenic respiratory distress?
- F45.8 — Other somatoform disorders.
What is the ICD-10 code for shortness of breath respiratory distress?
- R06.02 — Shortness of breath.
Is R06.03 billable?
- Yes. R06.03 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can R06.03 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict R06.03 as a principal diagnosis.
Is R06.03 a CC or MCC?
- No. R06.03 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.