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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code J21
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J21

Acute bronchiolitis

ICD-10-CM Code:
J21
ICD-10 Code for:
Acute bronchiolitis
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the respiratory system
    (J00–J99)
    • Other acute lower respiratory infections
      (J20-J22)
      • Acute bronchiolitis
        (J21)

J21 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Acute bronchiolitis

Non-specific codes like J21 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for acute bronchiolitis:

  • Use J21.0 for Acute bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J21.1 for Acute bronchiolitis due to human metapneumovirus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J21.8 for Acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J21.9 for Acute bronchiolitis, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Acute Bronchiolitis

    acute inflammation of the bronchioles usually caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Includes

Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
  • acute bronchiolitis with bronchospasm

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease J84.115

Patient Education


Bronchial Disorders

When you breathe in, the air travels down through your trachea (windpipe). It then goes through two tubes to your lungs. These tubes are your bronchi. Bronchial disorders can make it hard for you to breathe.

The most common problem with the bronchi is bronchitis, an inflammation of the tubes. It can be acute or chronic. Other problems include:

  • Bronchiectasis - a condition in which damage to the airways causes them to widen and become flabby and scarred
  • Exercise-induced bronchospasm - a breathing problem that happens when your airways shrink while you are exercising
  • Bronchiolitis - an inflammation of the small airways that branch off from the bronchi
  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia - a chronic lung condition in infants, most often premature infants

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.