Asthma (J45) ICD-10-CM
The J45 code range covers asthma with 26 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 18 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- allergic (predominantly) asthma
- allergic bronchitis NOS
- allergic rhinitis with asthma
- atopic asthma
- extrinsic allergic asthma
- hay fever with asthma
- idiosyncratic asthma
- intrinsic nonallergic asthma
- nonallergic asthma
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
- code to identify:
- eosinophilic asthma J82.83
- 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
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
Codes in the J45 Range 26 codes · 18 billable
- J45 AsthmaNon-billable
- J45.2 Mild intermittent asthmaNon-billable
- J45.20 Mild intermittent asthma, uncomplicated
- J45.21 Mild intermittent asthma with (acute) exacerbation
- J45.22 Mild intermittent asthma with status asthmaticus
- J45.3 Mild persistent asthmaNon-billable
- J45.30 Mild persistent asthma, uncomplicated
- J45.31 Mild persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbation
- J45.32 Mild persistent asthma with status asthmaticus
- J45.4 Moderate persistent asthmaNon-billable
- J45.40 Moderate persistent asthma, uncomplicated
- J45.41 Moderate persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbation
- J45.42 Moderate persistent asthma with status asthmaticus
- J45.5 Severe persistent asthmaNon-billable
- J45.50 Severe persistent asthma, uncomplicated
- J45.51 Severe persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbation
- J45.52 Severe persistent asthma with status asthmaticus
- J45.9 Other and unspecified asthmaNon-billable
- J45.90 Unspecified asthmaNon-billable
- J45.901 Unspecified asthma with (acute) exacerbation
- J45.902 Unspecified asthma with status asthmaticus
- J45.909 Unspecified asthma, uncomplicated
- J45.99 Other asthmaNon-billable
- J45.990 Exercise induced bronchospasm
- J45.991 Cough variant asthma
- J45.998 Other asthma
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the J45 range.
Airway Remodeling
The structural changes in the number, mass, size and/or composition of the airway tissues.
Asthma
A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).
Asthma, Aspirin-Induced
Asthmatic adverse reaction (e.g., BRONCHOCONSTRICTION) to conventional NSAIDS including aspirin use.
Asthma, Exercise-Induced
Asthma attacks following a period of exercise. Usually the induced attack is short-lived and regresses spontaneously. The magnitude of postexertional airway obstruction is strongly influenced by the environment in which exercise is performed (i.e. inhalation of cold air during physical exertion markedly augments the severity of the airway obstruction; conversely, warm humid air blunts or abolishes it).
Asthma, Occupational
Asthma attacks caused, triggered, or exacerbated by OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE.
Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome
Syndrome with clinical features of both ASTHMA and COPD.
Conyza
A plant genus of the family ASTERACEAE. Members contain alkenynes, daucosterol, friedelinol, conyzasaponins and other TRITERPENES.
Cough-Variant Asthma
Asthma which is characterized by CHRONIC COUGH that is nonproductive without other asthmatic symptoms, e.g., WHEEZING, and PAROXYSMAL DYSPNEA. Cough-variant asthma is accompanied by AIRWAY HYPERSENSITIVITY and may progress to classical asthma without treatment.
Dyspnea, Paroxysmal
A disorder characterized by sudden attacks of respiratory distress in at rest patients with HEART FAILURE and PULMONARY EDEMA. It usually occurs at night after several hours of sleep in a reclining position. Patients awaken with a feeling of suffocation, coughing, a cold sweat, and TACHYCARDIA. When there is significant WHEEZING, it is called CARDIAC ASTHMA.
Occupational Exposure
The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation.
Status Asthmaticus
A sudden intense and continuous aggravation of a state of asthma, marked by dyspnea to the point of exhaustion and collapse and not responding to the usual therapeutic efforts.
Tylophora
A plant genus of the family ASCLEPIADACEAE. Members contain phenanthro-indolizidine alkaloids.
About the J45 Code Range
The ICD-10 code section J45 is used to classify various forms of asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation and breathing difficulties. These codes help specify the type, severity, and presence of complications or exacerbations, supporting precise medical documentation and treatment planning.
This section covers codes from J45.2 to J45.99, including detailed categories like mild intermittent asthma (intermittent allergic asthma, uncontrolled asthma), mild persistent asthma, moderate persistent asthma, and severe persistent asthma. Each severity level has codes differentiating uncomplicated cases, acute exacerbations, or status asthmaticus. For example, J45.20 represents mild intermittent asthma without complications, while J45.21 reflects mild intermittent asthma with an acute exacerbation. Additionally, unspecified asthma types are found under J45.90, which also includes codes for acute episodes such as brittle asthma or intrinsic asthma. Other unique asthma forms, such as exercise induced bronchospasm (J45.990) and cough variant asthma (J45.991), are separately identified. This ICD-10 code range ensures thorough classification of asthma conditions to guide effective care and billing.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the J45 range?
Of the 26 codes in this range, 18 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the J45 range classify?
The range classifies asthma. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
