2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J20Acute bronchitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J20-J22›J20

ICD-10-CM J20
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J20 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for acute bronchitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J20.0, J20.1, J20.2, and J20.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J20
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Acute bronchitis
Chapter
J20-J22
Other acute lower respiratory infections

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ20-J22Other acute lower respiratory infections
CategoryJ20Acute bronchitis
This CodeJ20Acute bronchitis

Specific Coding for Acute bronchitisOverview

Non-specific codes like J20 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use J20.0 for Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae

  • Use J20.1 for Acute bronchitis due to Hemophilus influenzae

  • Use J20.2 for Acute bronchitis due to streptococcus

  • Use J20.3 for Acute bronchitis due to coxsackievirus

  • Use J20.4 for Acute bronchitis due to parainfluenza virus

  • Use J20.5 for Acute bronchitis due to respiratory syncytial virus

  • Use J20.6 for Acute bronchitis due to rhinovirus

  • Use J20.7 for Acute bronchitis due to echovirus

  • Use J20.8 for Acute bronchitis due to other specified organisms

  • Use J20.9 for Acute bronchitis, unspecified

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Includes

  • acute and subacute bronchitis (with) bronchospasm
  • acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheitis
  • acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheobronchitis, acute
  • acute and subacute fibrinous bronchitis
  • acute and subacute membranous bronchitis
  • acute and subacute purulent bronchitis
  • acute and subacute septic bronchitis

Type 1 Excludes

  • bronchitis NOS J40
  • tracheobronchitis NOS J40

Type 2 Excludes

  • acute bronchitis with bronchiectasis J47.0
  • acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive asthma J44.0
  • acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease J44.0
  • allergic bronchitis NOS J45.909
  • bronchitis due to chemicals, fumes and vapors J68.0
  • chronic bronchitis NOS J42
  • chronic mucopurulent bronchitis J41.1
  • chronic obstructive bronchitis J44
  • chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis J44
  • chronic simple bronchitis J41.0
  • chronic tracheobronchitis J42

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Acute Bronchitis

    acute inflammation and edema of the larger bronchi caused by viruses or bacteria. signs and symptoms include cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

Patient EducationClinical

Acute Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus. It can also cause shortness of breath, wheezing, a low fever, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About J20Overview

Is J20 (Acute bronchitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for acute bronchitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for acute bronchitis need a more specific code from this category, such as J20.0, J20.1, and J20.2.