J15.21 – Pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Influenza and pneumonia

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code J15.21

Code: J15.21 (claims format: J1521)
Description: Pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 10. Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
Block: J09-J18 Influenza and pneumonia
Parent codes: J15 › J15.2

Billable codes under J15.21

J15.21 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

J15 – Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified

Includes:

bronchopneumonia due to bacteria other than S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae

Excludes1 (not coded here):

chlamydial pneumonia (J16.0)
congenital pneumonia (P23.-)
Legionnaires' disease (A48.1)
spirochetal pneumonia (A69.8)

Code first:

, if applicable, associated influenza (J09.X1, J10.0-, J11.0-)

Code also:

, if applicable, any associated condition such as:
abscess (J85.1)
aspiration pneumonia (J69.-)

Block J09-J18

Excludes2 (not included here):

allergic or eosinophilic pneumonia (J82)
aspiration pneumonia NOS (J69.0)
meconium pneumonia (P24.01)
neonatal aspiration pneumonia (P24.-)
pneumonia due to solids and liquids (J69.-)
congenital pneumonia (P23.9)
lipid pneumonia (J69.1)
rheumatic pneumonia (I00)
ventilator associated pneumonia (J95.851)

Use additional code:

code, if applicable, to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)

Related codes in J15.2

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code J15.21?

J15.21 is the ICD-10-CM code for pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus, in the block J09-J18 (Influenza and pneumonia).

Is J15.21 a billable code?

No. J15.21 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does J15.21 belong to?

It belongs to category J15 – Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.