2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J12Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J09-J18›J12

ICD-10-CM J12
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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

ICD-10-CM Code
J12
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
J09-J18
Influenza and pneumonia

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ09-J18Influenza and pneumonia
CategoryJ12Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified
This CodeJ12Viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified

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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J12: its own notes plus those printed at block J09-J18 and Chapter 10. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • bronchopneumonia due to viruses other than influenza viruses

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 J12 itself
  • 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.-)
From Block J09-J18 Influenza and pneumonia applies to 53 codes
  • 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)
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)

Code First

The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.

Use Additional Code

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

From Block J09-J18 Influenza and pneumonia applies to 53 codes
  • code, if applicable, to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)
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)

Code Also

A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.

  • associated abscess, if applicable (J85.1)

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 J12, its category, or a range that includes it.

Use Additional Code 1

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and J12 is one of the codes named.

  • J95.89 Other postprocedural complications and disorders of respiratory system, not elsewhere classified
    bacterial or viral pneumonia (J12-J18)

Code Also 2

These codes say J12 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • D81.82 Activated Phosphoinositide 3-kinase Delta Syndrome [APDS]
    pneumonia (J12-J18)
  • J69 Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids
    viral pneumonia (J12.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Pneumonia, Viral

    inflammation of the lung parenchyma that is caused by a viral infection.

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

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 J12Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified?

J12 is the ICD-10-CM category for viral pneumonia, not elsewhere classified, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

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.

What is coded first with J12?

The Code First note reads: associated influenza, if applicable (J09.X1, J10.0-, J11.0-). When one of these applies, it is sequenced before J12.