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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code J20
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J20

Acute bronchitis

ICD-10-CM Code:
J20
ICD-10 Code for:
Acute bronchitis
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the respiratory system
    (J00–J99)
    • Other acute lower respiratory infections
      (J20-J22)
      • Acute bronchitis
        (J20)

J20 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of acute bronchitis. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Acute bronchitis

Non-specific codes like J20 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for acute bronchitis:

  • Use J20.0 for Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.1 for Acute bronchitis due to Hemophilus influenzae - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.2 for Acute bronchitis due to streptococcus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.3 for Acute bronchitis due to coxsackievirus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.4 for Acute bronchitis due to parainfluenza virus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.5 for Acute bronchitis due to respiratory syncytial virus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.6 for Acute bronchitis due to rhinovirus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.7 for Acute bronchitis due to echovirus - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.8 for Acute bronchitis due to other specified organisms - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J20.9 for Acute bronchitis, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Acute Bronchitis

    acute inflammation and edema of the larger bronchi caused by viruses or bacteria. signs and symptoms include cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Includes

Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
  • acute and subacute bronchitis (with) bronchospasm
  • acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheitis
  • acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheobronchitis, acute
  • acute and subacute fibrinous bronchitis
  • acute and subacute membranous bronchitis
  • acute and subacute purulent bronchitis
  • acute and subacute septic bronchitis

Type 1 Excludes

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.
  • bronchitis NOS J40
  • tracheobronchitis NOS J40

Type 2 Excludes

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.
  • acute bronchitis with bronchiectasis J47.0
  • acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive asthma J44.0
  • acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease J44.0
  • allergic bronchitis NOS J45.909
  • bronchitis due to chemicals, fumes and vapors J68.0
  • chronic bronchitis NOS J42
  • chronic mucopurulent bronchitis J41.1
  • chronic obstructive bronchitis J44
  • chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis J44
  • chronic simple bronchitis J41.0
  • chronic tracheobronchitis J42

Patient Education


Acute Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus. It can also cause shortness of breath, wheezing, a low fever, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.

Most cases of acute bronchitis get better within several days. But your cough can last for several weeks after the infection is gone.

The same viruses that cause colds and the flu often cause acute bronchitis. These viruses spread through the air when people cough, or though physical contact (for example, on unwashed hands). Being exposed to tobacco smoke, air pollution, dusts, vapors, and fumes can also cause acute bronchitis. Less often, bacteria can also cause acute bronchitis.

To diagnose acute bronchitis, your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and listen to your breathing. You may also have other tests.

Treatments include rest, fluids, and aspirin (for adults) or acetaminophen to treat fever. A humidifier or steam can also help. You may need inhaled medicine to open your airways if you are wheezing. Antibiotics won't help if the cause is viral. You may get antibiotics if the cause is bacterial.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.