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ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code R06.02: Shortness of breath

R06.02 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Shortness of breath 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 Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

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 Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents shortness of breath 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
18Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
block
R00-R09Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems
category
R06Abnormalities of breathing
category
R06.0Dyspnea
currentR06.0

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

General Physician

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 93350high
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, TRANSTHORACIC, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, DURING REST AND CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS TEST USING TREADMILL, BICYCLE EXERCISE AND/OR PHARMACOLOGICALLY INDUCED STRESS, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT;
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 93351high
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, TRANSTHORACIC, REAL-TIME WITH IMAGE DOCUMENTATION (2D), INCLUDES M-MODE RECORDING, WHEN PERFORMED, DURING REST AND CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS TEST USING TREADMILL, BICYCLE EXERCISE AND/OR PHARMACOLOGICALLY INDUCED STRESS, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT; INCLUDING PERFORMANCE OF CONTINUOUS ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC MONITORING, WITH SUPERVISION BY A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 87631high
INFECTIOUS AGENT DETECTION BY NUCLEIC ACID (DNA OR RNA); RESPIRATORY VIRUS (EG, ADENOVIRUS, INFLUENZA VIRUS, CORONAVIRUS, METAPNEUMOVIRUS, PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS, RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS, RHINOVIRUS), INCLUDES MULTIPLEX REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION, WHEN PERFORMED, AND MULTIPLEX AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE, MULTIPLE TYPES OR SUBTYPES, 3-5 TARGETS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 87636high
INFECTIOUS AGENT DETECTION BY NUCLEIC ACID (DNA OR RNA); SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-COV-2) (CORONAVIRUS DISEASE [COVID-19]) AND INFLUENZA VIRUS TYPES A AND B, MULTIPLEX AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 87637high
INFECTIOUS AGENT DETECTION BY NUCLEIC ACID (DNA OR RNA); SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-COV-2) (CORONAVIRUS DISEASE [COVID-19]), INFLUENZA VIRUS TYPES A AND B, AND RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS, MULTIPLEX AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 93241high
EXTERNAL ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC RECORDING FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS UP TO 7 DAYS BY CONTINUOUS RHYTHM RECORDING AND STORAGE; INCLUDES RECORDING, SCANNING ANALYSIS WITH REPORT, REVIEW AND INTERPRETATION
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Shortness of breath

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeR06.02
SystemICD10
Display nameShortness of breath
ChapterSymptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
BlockSymptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
BreathDistressDyspnea(nocturnal) (paroxysmal)Short, shortening, shortness

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.