R06.02: Shortness of breath

R06.02, shortness of breath, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 15 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 41 HCPCS Level II codes, including J0153 (Injection, adenosine, 1 mg (not to be used to report any…), J1250 (Injection, dobutamine hydrochloride, per 250 mg), J1245 (Injection, dipyridamole, per 10 mg). The articles come from 6 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.

HCPCS Level II codes with R06.02 as a covered diagnosis

CodeDescriptionMedicare coverageDMEPOS fee 2026 (state range)Articles listing it
J0153Injection, adenosine, 1 mg (not to be used to report any adenosine phosphate compounds)Special coverage instructions apply—6
J1250Injection, dobutamine hydrochloride, per 250 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—6
J1245Injection, dipyridamole, per 10 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—6
Q9957Injection, perflutren lipid microspheres, per mlCarrier judgment—4
Q9956Injection, octafluoropropane microspheres, per mlCarrier judgment—4
Q9955Injection, perflexane lipid microspheres, per mlCarrier judgment—4
A9500Technetium tc-99m sestamibi, diagnostic, per study doseCarrier judgment—3
A9502Technetium tc-99m tetrofosmin, diagnostic, per study doseCarrier judgment—3
A9505Thallium tl-201 thallous chloride, diagnostic, per millicurieCarrier judgment—3
A9501Technetium tc-99m teboroxime, diagnostic, per study doseCarrier judgment—3
A9700Supply of injectable contrast material for use in echocardiography, per studySpecial coverage instructions apply—4
J3490Unclassified drugsSpecial coverage instructions apply—3
A9512Technetium tc-99m pertechnetate, diagnostic, per millicurieCarrier judgment—2
A9560Technetium tc-99m labeled red blood cells, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 30 millicuriesCarrier judgment—2
A9538Technetium tc-99m pyrophosphate, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 25 millicuriesCarrier judgment—2
J2785Injection, regadenoson, 0.1 mgCarrier judgment—3
U00022019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19), any technique, multiple types or subtypes (includes all targets), non-cdcCarrier judgment—4
U0001Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr diagnostic panelCarrier judgment—4
J0461Injection, atropine sulfate, 0.01 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—4
J0280Injection, aminophyllin, up to 250 mgSpecial coverage instructions apply—4
Q9950Injection, sulfur hexafluoride lipid microspheres, per mlCarrier judgment—1
A9520Technetium tc-99m tilmanocept, diagnostic, up to 0.5 millicuriesCarrier judgment—1
C9176Tc-99m from domestically produced non-heu mo-99, [minimum 50 percent], full cost recovery add-on, per study doseSpecial coverage instructions apply—1
G0238Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function, other than described by g0237, one on one, face to face, per 15 minutes (includes monitoring)Carrier judgment—2
G0237Therapeutic procedures to increase strength or endurance of respiratory muscles, face to face, one on one, each 15 minutes (includes monitoring)Carrier judgment—2

16 more codes are listed. See every code with payment by region in Caduvo.

Medicare policy articles listing R06.02

A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.

Other R06 diagnoses (Abnormalities of breathing)

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover R06.02 (Shortness of breath)?

Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 15 Medicare billing and coding articles list R06.02 as a covered diagnosis for 41 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.

Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 R06.02?

The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are J0153 (Injection, adenosine, 1 mg (not to be used to report any…, 6 articles); J1250 (Injection, dobutamine hydrochloride, per 250 mg, 6 articles); J1245 (Injection, dipyridamole, per 10 mg, 6 articles); Q9957 (Injection, perflutren lipid microspheres, per ml, 4 articles); Q9956 (Injection, octafluoropropane microspheres, per ml, 4 articles). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.

Which Medicare policy articles list R06.02?

A58503 (Billing and Coding: Echocardiography for Myocardial Perfusion); A56494 (Billing and Coding: Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine); A56743 (Billing and Coding: Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine), and 12 more articles.

What is ICD-10-CM code R06.02?

R06.02 is the ICD-10-CM code for shortness of breath, in category R06 (Abnormalities of breathing), chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal findings.

Next steps

Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.

Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal findings · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup