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J20

Non-billable

Acute bronchitis

J20 is the ICD-10-CM code for Acute bronchitis. It is a non-billable category code — use a more specific child code such as J20.0 for billing.

Status
Header (non-billable)
Chapter
J00-J99
Subcodes
10
Edition
FY2026

J00-J99 Diseases of the respiratory system

What this means — in plain language

MedlinePlus · NIH

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.…

Read more about Acute Bronchitis at MedlinePlus ↗

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Informational only — not medical advice.

Includes

  • •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

Excludes1 — not coded here

  • •bronchitis NOS (J40)
  • •tracheobronchitis NOS (J40)

Excludes2 — not included here

  • •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)

Medications indicated for this condition

FDA labeling

Drugs whose FDA labeling lists this condition's category among its indications. Informational only — not a treatment recommendation or medical advice.

Conditions mapped to this code

MedlinePlus · NIH
Acute Bronchitis

Plain-language health-topic references grounded in MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM).

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code J20?
J20 is the ICD-10-CM code for "Acute bronchitis". It falls under J00-J99 Diseases of the respiratory system.
Is J20 a billable code?
No — J20 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code (such as J20.0) for billing.
What are the subcodes of J20?
J20 has 10 more specific child codes, including J20.0, J20.1, J20.2.
What is excluded from J20?
Excludes1 (not coded here): bronchitis NOS (J40); tracheobronchitis NOS (J40).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM FY2026. For informational purposes only — not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.

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