2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J03Acute tonsillitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J00-J06›J03

ICD-10-CM J03
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

J03 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for acute tonsillitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J03.00, J03.01, J03.80, and J03.81.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J03
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Acute tonsillitis
Short Description
Acute tonsillitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
J00-J06
Acute upper respiratory infections

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ00-J06Acute upper respiratory infections
CategoryJ03Acute tonsillitis
This CodeJ03Acute tonsillitis

Specific Coding for Acute tonsillitisOverview

Non-specific codes like J03 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • J03.0 for Streptococcal tonsillitis

  • Use J03.00 for Acute streptococcal tonsillitis, unspecified

  • Use J03.01 for Acute recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis

  • J03.8 for Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms

  • Use J03.80 for Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms

  • Use J03.81 for Acute recurrent tonsillitis due to other specified organisms

  • J03.9 for Acute tonsillitis, unspecified

  • Use J03.90 for Acute tonsillitis, unspecified

  • Use J03.91 for Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J03: its own notes plus those printed at block J00-J06 and Chapter 10. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

On J03 itself
  • acute sore throat (J02.-)
  • hypertrophy of tonsils (J35.1)
  • peritonsillar abscess (J36)
  • sore throat NOS (J02.9)
  • streptococcal sore throat (J02.0)
From Block J00-J06 Acute upper respiratory infections applies to 35 codes
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute lower respiratory infection (J44.0)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

On J03 itself
  • chronic tonsillitis (J35.0)
From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • smoke inhalation (T59.81-)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 codes
  • code, where applicable, to identify:
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 codes
  • When a respiratory condition is described as occurring in more than one site and is not specifically indexed, it should be classified to the lower anatomic site (e.g. tracheobronchitis to bronchitis in J40).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name J03, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming J03: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • J36 Peritonsillar abscess
    acute tonsillitis (J03.-)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming J03: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • J35.0 Chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis
    acute tonsillitis (J03.-)

Code Also 1

These codes say J03 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • D81.82 Activated Phosphoinositide 3-kinase Delta Syndrome [APDS]
    other acute respiratory tract infections (J00-J06; J20-J22) names J00-J06, which includes this code

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Acute Tonsillitis

    an acute inflammation of the tonsils caused by viruses or bacteria. signs and symptoms include fever, enlargement of the tonsils, difficulty swallowing, and enlargement of the regional lymph nodes.

Patient EducationClinical

Tonsillitis

Tonsils are lumps of tissue at the back of the throat. There are two of them, one on each side. Along with the adenoids, tonsils are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system clears away infection and keeps body fluids in balance. Tonsils and adenoids work by trapping the germs coming in through the mouth and nose.

The full article covers:

  • What are tonsils?
  • What is tonsillitis?
  • What causes tonsillitis?
  • Who is at risk for tonsillitis?
  • Is tonsillitis contagious?
  • What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?
  • When does my child need to see a health care provider for tonsillitis?
  • How is tonsillitis diagnosed?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About J03Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for acute tonsillitis?

J03 is the ICD-10-CM category for acute tonsillitis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is J03 (Acute tonsillitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for acute tonsillitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for acute tonsillitis need a more specific code from this category, such as J03.00, J03.01, and J03.80.

Can J03 be reported with a code from J02?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on J03 lists "acute sore throat (J02.-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).