2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J32.1Chronic frontal sinusitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J32

ICD-10-CM J32.1
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

J32.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for chronic frontal sinusitis. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 152 through 153. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sinusitis.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J32.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Chronic frontal sinusitis
Short Description
Chronic frontal sinusitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
J32
Chronic sinusitis

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ30-J39Other diseases of upper respiratory tract
CategoryJ32Chronic sinusitis
This CodeJ32.1Chronic frontal sinusitis

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Chronic frontal sinusitis
  • Chronic frontoethmoidal sinusitis
  • Frontal sinusitis

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J32.1: its own notes plus those printed at J32 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.

From J32 Chronic sinusitis applies to 7 codes
  • sinus abscess
  • sinus empyema
  • sinus infection
  • sinus suppuration

Applicable To

Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.

  • Frontal sinusitis NOS

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 J32 Chronic sinusitis applies to 7 codes
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 J32 Chronic sinusitis applies to 7 codes
  • code to identify:
  • infectious agent (B95-B97)
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.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name J32.1, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming J32.1: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • J01 Acute sinusitis
    chronic sinusitis (J32.0-J32.8) names J32.0-J32.8, which includes this code

Code Also 1

These codes say J32.1 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • B44 Aspergillosis
    sinus aspergilloma (J32.-) names J32.-, which includes this code

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 RSP001
Sinusitis
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Chronic Frontal Sinusitis

    inflammation of the frontal sinus that typically lasts beyond eight weeks. it is caused by infections, allergies, and the presence of sinus polyps or a deviated septum. signs and symptoms include headache, nasal discharge, swelling in the face, dizziness, and breathing difficulties.

Patient EducationClinical

Sinusitis

Sinusitis means your sinuses are inflamed. The cause can be an infection or another problem. Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert J32.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
473.1 Chr frontal sinusitis
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 J32.1Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for chronic frontal sinusitis?

The ICD-10-CM code for chronic frontal sinusitis is J32.1 (sometimes written as J321). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is J32.1 (Chronic sinusitis) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report chronic frontal sinusitis on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does J32.1 group to?

When chronic frontal sinusitis is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 152, 153, with relative weights from 0.7420 to 1.1147 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Does J32.1 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note at J32, which applies to J32.1, reads: code to identify: infectious agent (B95-B97). The additional code is reported after J32.1.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of J32.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, chronic frontal sinusitis converts to ICD-9-CM 473.1 (chr frontal sinusitis). The mapping is a direct match.