ICD10BillableValid for clinical use
ICD-10 Code J69.0: Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
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 pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit 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
J60-J70Lung diseases due to external agents
category
J69Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids
currentJ69
Official coding notes
Inclusion terms
- Aspiration pneumonia NOS
- Aspiration pneumonia (due to) food (regurgitated)
- Aspiration pneumonia (due to) gastric secretions
- Aspiration pneumonia (due to) milk
- Aspiration pneumonia (due to) vomit
Excludes1 (do not code together)
- chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia (J95.4)
- obstetric aspiration pneumonitis (O74.0)
Code also
- any associated foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-)
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
Related codes
Sibling codes
Coverage-related procedures and services
CPT 31720high
CATHETER ASPIRATION (SEPARATE PROCEDURE); NASOTRACHEAL
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94664high
DEMONSTRATION AND/OR EVALUATION OF PATIENT UTILIZATION OF AN AEROSOL GENERATOR, NEBULIZER, METERED DOSE INHALER OR IPPB DEVICE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94640high
PRESSURIZED OR NONPRESSURIZED INHALATION TREATMENT FOR ACUTE AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES AND/OR FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES SUCH AS SPUTUM INDUCTION WITH AN AEROSOL GENERATOR, NEBULIZER, METERED DOSE INHALER OR INTERMITTENT POSITIVE PRESSURE BREATHING (IPPB) DEVICE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94642high
AEROSOL INHALATION OF PENTAMIDINE FOR PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINII PNEUMONIA TREATMENT OR PROPHYLAXIS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94728high
AIRWAY RESISTANCE BY OSCILLOMETRY
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94450high
BREATHING RESPONSE TO HYPOXIA (HYPOXIA RESPONSE CURVE)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 35031000119100high
Acute aspiration pneumonia
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 1306598009high
Acute aspiration pneumonitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 1395852008high
Alveolar macrophage pneumonia due to aspiration into lower respiratory tract
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 422588002high
Aspiration pneumonia
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 75426006high
Aspiration pneumonia caused by regurgitated food
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 44549008high
Aspiration pneumonia following procedure
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
J69.0
Common synonyms
Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
Frequently asked questions
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.