J20 – Acute bronchitis

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Other acute lower respiratory infections

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code J20

Code: J20 (claims format: J20)
Description: Acute bronchitis
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: J20-J22 Other acute lower respiratory infections

Billable codes under J20

J20 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

J20.0 – Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniaeBillable
J20.1 – Acute bronchitis due to Hemophilus influenzaeBillable
J20.2 – Acute bronchitis due to streptococcusBillable
J20.3 – Acute bronchitis due to coxsackievirusBillable
J20.4 – Acute bronchitis due to parainfluenza virusBillable
J20.5 – Acute bronchitis due to respiratory syncytial virusBillable
J20.6 – Acute bronchitis due to rhinovirusBillable
J20.7 – Acute bronchitis due to echovirusBillable
J20.8 – Acute bronchitis due to other specified organismsBillable
J20.9 – Acute bronchitis, unspecifiedBillable

Notes for J20

Includes:

acute and subacute bronchitis (with) bronchospasm
acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheitis
acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheobronchitis, acute
acute and subacute fibrinous bronchitis
acute and subacute membranous bronchitis
acute and subacute purulent bronchitis
acute and subacute septic bronchitis

Excludes1 (not coded here):

bronchitis NOS (J40)
tracheobronchitis NOS (J40)

Excludes2 (not included here):

acute bronchitis with bronchiectasis (J47.0)
acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive asthma (J44.0)
acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.0)
allergic bronchitis NOS (J45.909)
bronchitis due to chemicals, fumes and vapors (J68.0)
chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
chronic mucopurulent bronchitis (J41.1)
chronic obstructive bronchitis (J44.-)
chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis (J44.-)
chronic simple bronchitis (J41.0)
chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

Block J20-J22

Excludes2 (not included here):

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute lower respiratory infection (J44.0)

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code J20?

J20 is the ICD-10-CM code for acute bronchitis, in the block J20-J22 (Other acute lower respiratory infections).

Is J20 a billable code?

No. J20 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

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.