2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J15Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified
J15 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J15.0, J15.1, J15.20, and J15.211.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classifiedOverview
Non-specific codes like J15 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
Use J15.0 for Pneumonia due to Klebsiella pneumoniae
Use J15.1 for Pneumonia due to Pseudomonas
J15.2 for Pneumonia due to staphylococcus
Use J15.20 for Pneumonia due to staphylococcus, unspecified
J15.21 for Pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus
Use J15.29 for Pneumonia due to other staphylococcus
Use J15.3 for Pneumonia due to streptococcus, group B
Use J15.4 for Pneumonia due to other streptococci
Use J15.5 for Pneumonia due to Escherichia coli
J15.6 for Pneumonia due to other Gram-negative bacteria
Use J15.61 for Pneumonia due to Acinetobacter baumannii
Use J15.69 for Pneumonia due to other Gram-negative bacteria
Use J15.7 for Pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Use J15.8 for Pneumonia due to other specified bacteria
Use J15.9 for Unspecified bacterial pneumonia
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Includes
- bronchopneumonia due to bacteria other than S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae
Code First
Code Also
Type 1 Excludes
- chlamydial pneumonia J16.0
- congenital pneumonia P23
- Legionnaires' disease A48.1
- spirochetal pneumonia A69.8
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 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
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 J15Overview
Is J15 (Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as J15.0, J15.1, and J15.20.
