R0609 - Other forms of difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

International Classification of Diseases

Last updated: 10/3/2025

What is a ICD-10 Code?

ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes are used to classify and code all diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures recorded in association with hospital care. These codes provide a standardized way to track health conditions and their treatment outcomes.

Detailed Description

This code is used to document breathing difficulties or shortness of breath that don't fit into other specific categories of breathing problems. Dyspnea is the medical term for difficulty breathing or feeling short of breath. This particular code covers various types of breathing difficulties that aren't classified elsewhere in the medical coding system.

Additional Information

This is a symptom code that describes breathing difficulty rather than a specific disease. The underlying cause would need separate evaluation and coding.

Category

Symptoms and signs involving the respiratory system

Medical Specialty

Pulmonology, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine

Expected Costs

Your actual cost will depend on your insurance coverage, provider location, and specific circumstances.

What to Expect After

  • Further evaluation to determine underlying cause
  • Monitoring of breathing symptoms
  • Possible additional testing based on clinical assessment

Why Understanding This Code Matters

On Your Medical Bill

This code appears on your medical bills to identify the specific service, procedure, drug, or medical diagnosis you received. Understanding what it means helps you verify you're being charged correctly and know what to expect.

For Your Health

Knowing what this code represents helps you understand your treatment plan, ask better questions during appointments, and track your healthcare journey more effectively.

Want This Level of Detail on All Your Claims?

Get detailed explanations for every medical code on your Medicare bills. Currently supporting Medicare only.