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ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code J38.5: Laryngeal spasm

J38.5 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Laryngeal spasm in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents laryngeal spasm in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
10Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
block
J30-J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
category
J38Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
currentJ38

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Laryngismus (stridulus)

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

PulmonologistGeneral Physician

Coverage-related procedures and services

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
J38.5

Common synonyms

Laryngeal spasm

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeJ38.5
SystemICD10
Display nameLaryngeal spasm
ChapterDiseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
BlockOther diseases of upper respiratory tract

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Asthma, asthmatic(bronchial) (catarrh) (spasmodic)Asthma, asthmatic(bronchial) (catarrh) (spasmodic)Croup, croupous(catarrhal) (infectious) (inflammatory) (nondiphtheritic)Croup, croupous(catarrhal) (infectious) (inflammatory) (nondiphtheritic)Croup, croupous(catarrhal) (infectious) (inflammatory) (nondiphtheritic)FalseLaryngismus(stridulus)LaryngospasmLaryngotracheitis(acute) (Infectional) (infective) (viral)Laryngotracheitis(acute) (Infectional) (infective) (viral)Millar's asthmaObstruction, obstructed, obstructive

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.