J02.9
Billable

Acute pharyngitis, unspecified

Billable / Specific Code

What is Acute pharyngitis, unspecified?

ICD-10-CM J02.9 is the diagnosis code for Acute pharyngitis, unspecified. This code falls under the section "Acute upper respiratory infections" within Chapter 10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99). It is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

💡 Inclusions
⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for J02.9

✅ This Code Includes

  • Gangrenous pharyngitis (acute)
  • Infective pharyngitis (acute) NOS
  • Pharyngitis (acute) NOS
  • Sore throat (acute) NOS
  • Suppurative pharyngitis (acute)
  • Ulcerative pharyngitis (acute)

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J02.9. They are mutually exclusive:

  • influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J09.X2, J10.1, J11.1)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J02.9 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Current CodeJ02.9 — Acute pharyngitis, unspecified
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J02.9 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

Yes, J02.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What does J02.9 mean?

J02.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute pharyngitis, unspecified". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of J02.9?

The parent code of J02.9 is J02 ("Acute pharyngitis"). J02.9 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is J02.9 in?

J02.9 is located in Section J00-J06 — "Acute upper respiratory infections" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

When should I use J02.9?

Use J02.9 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute pharyngitis, unspecified" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Acute pharyngitis, unspecified?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute pharyngitis, unspecified is J02.9.

Can J02.9 be used for primary diagnosis?

Yes, J02.9 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.

What chapter is J02.9 in?

J02.9 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from J02.9?

Type 1 Excludes for J02.9 include: influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J09.X2, J10.1, J11.1).

Is J02.9 valid for 2026?

Yes, J02.9 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ02.8Acute pharyngitis due to other specified organismsNext →J03Acute tonsillitis
Code Details
J02.9
Acute pharyngitis, unspecified
Billable / Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J00-J06 — Acute upper respiratory infections
2026 ICD-10-CM