2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J21.8Acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J20-J22›J21

ICD-10-CM J21.8
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J21.8 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 202 through 203. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 14 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as acute bronchiolitis. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Acute bronchitis.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J21.8
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms
Short Description
Acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
J21
Acute bronchiolitis

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ20-J22Other acute lower respiratory infections
CategoryJ21Acute bronchiolitis
This CodeJ21.8Acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute bronchiolitis
  • Acute bronchiolitis caused by adenovirus
  • Acute viral bronchiolitis
  • Adenoviral bronchiolitis
  • Adenoviral respiratory disease

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR RSP005
Acute bronchitis
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Acute Bronchiolitis

    acute inflammation of the bronchioles usually caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.

Patient EducationClinical

Bronchial Disorders

When you breathe in, the air travels down through your trachea (windpipe). It then goes through two tubes to your lungs. These tubes are your bronchi. Bronchial disorders can make it hard for you to breathe.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert J21.8 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
466.19 Acu brnchlts d/t oth org
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 J21.8Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms?

The ICD-10-CM code for acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms is J21.8 (sometimes written as J218). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Is J21.8 (Acute bronchiolitis) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does J21.8 group to?

When acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 202, 203, with relative weights from 0.6700 to 0.9712 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is J21.8 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists J21.8 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2026. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 14 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of J21.8?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organisms converts to ICD-9-CM 466.19 (acu brnchlts d/t oth org). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.