2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J12Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified
J12 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J12.0, J12.1, J12.2, and J12.3.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classifiedOverview
Non-specific codes like J12 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
Use J12.0 for Adenoviral pneumonia
Use J12.1 for Respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia
Use J12.2 for Parainfluenza virus pneumonia
Use J12.3 for Human metapneumovirus pneumonia
J12.8 for Other viral pneumonia
Use J12.81 for Pneumonia due to SARS-associated coronavirus
Use J12.82 for Pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019
Use J12.89 for Other viral pneumonia
Use J12.9 for Viral pneumonia, unspecified
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Includes
- bronchopneumonia due to viruses other than influenza viruses
Code First
Code Also
- associated abscess, if applicable J85.1
Type 2 Excludes
- aspiration pneumonia due to anesthesia during labor and delivery O74.0
- aspiration pneumonia due to anesthesia during pregnancy O29
- aspiration pneumonia due to anesthesia during puerperium O89.0
- aspiration pneumonia due to solids and liquids J69
- aspiration pneumonia NOS J69.0
- congenital pneumonia P23.0
- congenital rubella pneumonitis P35.0
- interstitial pneumonia NOS J84.9
- lipid pneumonia J69.1
- neonatal aspiration pneumonia P24
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
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.
Patient EducationClinical
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs. It causes the air sacs of your lungs to fill up with fluid or pus. Pneumonia can range from mild to severe, depending on what caused it, your age, and your overall health.
The full article covers:
- What is pneumonia?
- What causes pneumonia?
- Who is more likely to develop pneumonia?
- What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
- What other problems can pneumonia cause?
- How is pneumonia diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for pneumonia?
- Can pneumonia be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About J12Overview
Is J12 (Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as J12.0, J12.1, and J12.2.
