ICD-10 Code J80 – Acute respiratory distress syndrome (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J80 – Acute respiratory distress syndrome
What it is
J80 identifies acute respiratory distress syndrome, a severe form of respiratory failure with widespread inflammation in the lungs. It reflects a clinical syndrome, not a single cause.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sudden severe shortness of breath, low oxygen levels, and diffuse lung infiltrates on imaging. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use J80 when the provider documents acute respiratory distress syndrome or ARDS. Code it for hospitalized patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure attributed to ARDS, when clearly stated in the record. If the diagnosis is only suspected, check documentation before assigning the code.
Do not use for
Do not use J80 for simple respiratory distress, chronic lung disease, or unspecified hypoxemia without ARDS documentation. Check documentation when the chart uses “acute respiratory failure” but does not name ARDS.
Coding tip
Assign J80 only when the provider explicitly documents ARDS or acute respiratory distress syndrome.