---
title: "ICD-10-CM R05.9: Cough, unspecified | BillingBrief"
description: "R05.9 is cough, unspecified. The R05 category was split in 2021 to separate acute, subacute, chronic, and other cough."
canonical: "https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r05.9/"
language: "en"
---

# R05.9 Cough, unspecified

ICD-10-CM · [CMS code reference](#source)

R05.9 is cough, unspecified. The R05 category was split in 2021 to separate acute, subacute, chronic, and other cough.

## Coding notes

From the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) tabular list. Notes on a parent code or category apply here too.

### Excludes1

Not coded together with this code. The exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

-   paroxysmal cough due to Bordetella pertussis (A37.0-)
-   smoker's cough (J41.0)

### Excludes2

Not part of this code, but both can be coded when both are documented.

-   cough with hemorrhage (R04.2)

## Related codes

-   [`R05.1` Acute cough ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r05.1/)
-   [`R05.2` Subacute cough ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r05.2/)
-   [`R05.3` Chronic cough ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r05.3/)
-   [`R05.4` Cough syncope ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r05.4/)
-   [`R05.8` Other specified cough ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/r05.8/)

## Common questions

### Is R05.9 a billable code?

Yes. R05.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM code in the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) code set.

## From the source

Official description from [CMS](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes).
ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026).

Code set

ICD-10-CM

Category

R05 Cough

Chapter

Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings

Billable

Yes

Educational reference only. Not medical, legal, or billing advice. Always check the current official code set and payer policy before you bill. [About BillingBrief and our sources](https://billingbrief.com/about/).