2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J31Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J31

ICD-10-CM J31
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

J31 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J31.0, J31.1, and J31.2.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J31
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis
Short Description
Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
J30-J39
Other diseases of upper respiratory tract

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ30-J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
CategoryJ31Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis
This CodeJ31Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis

Specific Coding for Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitisOverview

Non-specific codes like J31 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use J31.0 for Chronic rhinitis

  • Use J31.1 for Chronic nasopharyngitis

  • Use J31.2 for Chronic pharyngitis

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J31: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 10. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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.

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)

Use Additional Code

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

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)

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.

Patient EducationClinical

Nose Injuries and Disorders

Your nose is important to your health. It filters the air you breathe, removing dust, germs, and irritants. It warms and moistens the air to keep your lungs and tubes that lead to them from drying out. Your nose also contains the nerve cells that help your sense of smell.

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 J31Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis?

J31 is the ICD-10-CM category for chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is J31 (Chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for chronic rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and pharyngitis need a more specific code from this category, such as J31.0, J31.1, and J31.2.