ICD-10 · PDGM grouping
J38 Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
All 10 codes in the J38 family, with the PDGM clinical group, comorbidity subgroup and primary-position rule CMS assigns, read from the CMS grouper crosswalk v07.2.26 and the CDC FY2027 code file.
Codes in family
10
Can lead a claim
9
Cannot lead a claim
1
What CMS assigns to J38
9 of the 10 codes group to MMTA - Other; 1 is assigned no clinical group. None of the 10 is assigned a comorbidity subgroup. 9 of the 10 can lead a claim.
Every code in J38
Descriptions are CDC’s FY2027 wording; where CMS’s grouper abbreviates one, its form is shown beneath.
| Code | Description | Primary position | Clinical group | Comorbidity subgroup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J38.0 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx | ||||
| J38.00 | Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified | Cannot lead a claimPrincipal diagnosis not assigned to a clinical group | None | None |
| J38.01 | Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral | Can lead a claim | A | None |
| J38.02 | Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, bilateral | Can lead a claim | A | None |
| J38.1 | Polyp of vocal cord and larynx | Can lead a claim | A | None |
| J38.2 | Nodules of vocal cords | Can lead a claim | A | None |
| J38.3 | Other diseases of vocal cords | Can lead a claim | A | None |
| J38.4 | Edema of larynx | Can lead a claim | A | None |
| J38.5 | Laryngeal spasm | Can lead a claim | A | None |
| J38.6 | Stenosis of larynx | Can lead a claim | A | None |
| J38.7 | Other diseases of larynx | Can lead a claim | A | None |
Sources: CMS HH PPS Grouper Software v07.2.26, effective 2026-10-01, for the clinical group, comorbidity subgroup, code-first conventions and primary-position flags; CDC NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code descriptions for the family title and code wording. This is the crosswalk Medicare runs a claim through. Grouping also depends on admission source, timing, the OASIS functional items and the rest of the diagnosis list.
The monthly home health regs digest
What CMS changed, what's due next, and what to do about it — one email a month, no fluff. Read the first issue