2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J35Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J30-J39›J35

ICD-10-CM J35
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

J35 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J35.01, J35.02, J35.03, and J35.1.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J35
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids
Short Description
Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids
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
CategoryJ35Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids
This CodeJ35Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids

Specific Coding for Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoidsOverview

Non-specific codes like J35 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • J35.0 for Chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis

  • Use J35.01 for Chronic tonsillitis

  • Use J35.02 for Chronic adenoiditis

  • Use J35.03 for Chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis

  • Use J35.1 for Hypertrophy of tonsils

  • Use J35.2 for Hypertrophy of adenoids

  • Use J35.3 for Hypertrophy of tonsils with hypertrophy of adenoids

  • Use J35.8 for Other chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids

  • Use J35.9 for Chronic disease of tonsils and adenoids, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J35: 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

Adenoids

Adenoids are a patch of tissue that is high up in the throat, just behind the nose. They, along with the tonsils, are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system clears away infection and keeps body fluids in balance. The adenoids and tonsils work by trapping germs coming in through the mouth and nose.

The full article covers:

  • What are adenoids?
  • What are enlarged adenoids?
  • What causes enlarged adenoids?
  • What problems can enlarged adenoids cause?
  • How can enlarged adenoids be diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for enlarged adenoids?
  • What is an adenoidectomy and why might I my child need one?

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 J35Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids?

J35 is the ICD-10-CM category for chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is J35 (Chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids need a more specific code from this category, such as J35.01, J35.02, and J35.03.