What does ICD-10 code J95.851 mean?

ICD-10 code J95.851 is the standardized code used for ventilator associated pneumonia in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code J95.851 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code J95.851 when recording ventilator associated pneumonia in a standardized format.

Does ICD-10 code J95.851 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code J95.851: Ventilator associated pneumonia

Name: ICD-10 Code J95.851: Ventilator associated pneumonia
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-26T12:46:38.762Z

J95.851 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Ventilator associated pneumonia 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).

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 ventilator associated pneumonia 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

J95Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of respiratory system, not elsewhere classified (J95)

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms

Ventilator associated pneumonitis

Applicable to

code to identify the organism, if known (B95.-, B96.-, B97.-)

Excludes1 (do not code together)

ventilator lung in newborn (P27.8)

Use additional code

code to identify the organism, if known (B95.-, B96.-, B97.-)

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

Sibling codes

J95.850Mechanical complication of respiratorbillable J95.859Other complication of respirator [ventilator]billable

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 94761high

NONINVASIVE EAR OR PULSE OXIMETRY FOR OXYGEN SATURATION; MULTIPLE DETERMINATIONS (EG, DURING EXERCISE)

Source: CMS coverage guidance

CPT 94760high

NONINVASIVE EAR OR PULSE OXIMETRY FOR OXYGEN SATURATION; SINGLE DETERMINATION

Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Ventilator associated pneumonia

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.