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ICD-10-CM J38.7: Other diseases of larynx

J38.7 is the billable ICD-10-CM code for other diseases of larynx, in category J38 (Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified) of the Other diseases of upper respiratory tract section. As a principal diagnosis it groups to MS-DRG 011 Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC, MS-DRG 012 Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC, MS-DRG 013 Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC (MDC PRE Pre-MDC (transplants, tracheostomy, ECMO)); or MS-DRG 154 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC, MS-DRG 155 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC, MS-DRG 156 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC (MDC 03 MDC 03: Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat). 10 LCD billing and coding articles list it as covered.

Compiled from CMS files by the QuickIntell RCM Editorial Team · Data effective · Method: reference methodology · Report a data correction

Data currency: ICD-10-CM code descriptions: FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026); IPPS Table 5 (MS-DRG weights): v44 FY2027 (final rule + CN3) (effective October 1, 2026); ICD-10-CM to HCC mapping: PY2027 initial ICD-10-CM mappings (dates of service 2026) (payment year 2027); Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles: MCD release October 8, 2026 (effective October 4, 2026). Next CMS release: FY2028 code files, effective October 1, 2027 for the ICD-10-CM code descriptions; FY2028 final rule (August 2027), effective October 1, 2027; an April 1 interim grouper update when CMS issues one for the IPPS Table 5 (MS-DRG weights); PY2028 advance notice (February 2027) and the PY2027 midyear final mapping (spring 2027) for the ICD-10-CM to HCC mapping; weekly, every Thursday for the Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles.

Code
J38.7
billable FY2027 ICD-10-CM code
Category
J38 Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
Chapter
10: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
CC/MCC (MS-DRG v44)
Neither
CMS-HCC V28
Not mapped
POA reporting
Required

Tabular list notes for J38.7

The tabular list has no notes on J38.7 itself; the notes below apply from its parent headings.

Inherited from J38 (Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified)

Excludes1 (never coded together)
  • congenital laryngeal stridor (P28.89)
  • obstructive laryngitis (acute) (J05.0)
  • postprocedural subglottic stenosis (J95.5)
  • stridor (R06.1)
  • ulcerative laryngitis (J04.0)

MS-DRG grouping when J38.7 is the principal diagnosis

MS-DRG v44 groups for J38.7 as principal diagnosis
MDCMS-DRGs
PRE Pre-MDC (transplants, tracheostomy, ECMO)011012013
03 MDC 03: Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat154155156

The final group also depends on procedures, secondary diagnoses and discharge status; the MS-DRG lookup for J38.7 shows the full grouping logic.

CC/MCC status and inpatient edits

J38.7 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44, so as a secondary diagnosis it does not raise the MS-DRG severity level. Check J38.7 against a principal diagnosis.

  • Present on admission: a POA indicator is required on inpatient claims.

CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment

J38.7 does not map to a payment HCC in the PY2027 CMS-HCC V28 model, so on its own it does not change a Medicare Advantage risk score.

LCD billing and coding articles that list J38.7

10 current Medicare billing and coding articles list J38.7 among the diagnoses that support medical necessity for the services they cover.

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Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CM J38.7 mean?

J38.7 means other diseases of larynx. It is one of 10 billable codes under J38, diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified.

What can't be coded with J38.7?

Excludes1 at J38: congenital laryngeal stridor (P28.89); obstructive laryngitis (acute) (J05.0); postprocedural subglottic stenosis (J95.5); stridor (R06.1) and 1 more. These are never reported together with J38.7.

Which MS-DRG does J38.7 group to?

As the principal diagnosis, J38.7 groups to MS-DRG 011 Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC, MS-DRG 012 Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC, MS-DRG 013 Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC (MDC PRE Pre-MDC (transplants, tracheostomy, ECMO)); or MS-DRG 154 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC, MS-DRG 155 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC, MS-DRG 156 Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC (MDC 03 MDC 03: Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat) under MS-DRG v44, before procedures and secondary diagnoses are applied.

Sources

Every figure on this page is taken from the CMS publications below, as released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Projection built 2026-10-10. Verify against the primary file before billing or contracting decisions. The reference methodology explains how each figure is computed from these files.

Disclaimer

The descriptor and notes are reproduced from the FY2027 ICD-10-CM files; MS-DRG, CC/MCC and HCC facts come from the CMS FY2027 and PY2027 tables. Code from the medical record and the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines. Not legal, clinical or billing advice.

Found a figure that does not match the CMS file? Report a data correction with the CMS file and the value you expected; the request reaches the editorial team through the contact form.