J03.8
Non-Billable

Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms?

ICD-10-CM J03.8 is the diagnosis code for Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms. This code falls under the section "Acute upper respiratory infections" within Chapter 10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for J03.8

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J03.8. They are mutually exclusive:

  • diphtheritic tonsillitis (A36.0)
  • herpesviral pharyngotonsillitis (B00.2)
  • streptococcal tonsillitis (J03.0)
  • tuberculous tonsillitis (A15.8)
  • Vincent's tonsillitis (A69.1)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J03.8 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Current CodeJ03.8 — Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
Sub-Codes (2)
Sub-Codes 2 entries
J03.80Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organismsBillableJ03.81Acute recurrent tonsillitis due to other specified organismsBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J03.8 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, J03.8 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does J03.8 mean?

J03.8 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of J03.8?

The parent code of J03.8 is J03 ("Acute tonsillitis"). J03.8 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is J03.8 in?

J03.8 is located in Section J00-J06 — "Acute upper respiratory infections" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of J03.8?

J03.8 has 2 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: J03.80, J03.81.

When should I use J03.8?

Use J03.8 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms" 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 tonsillitis due to other specified organisms?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms is J03.8.

Can J03.8 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, J03.8 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is J03.8 in?

J03.8 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from J03.8?

Type 1 Excludes for J03.8 include: diphtheritic tonsillitis (A36.0); herpesviral pharyngotonsillitis (B00.2); streptococcal tonsillitis (J03.0) and more.

Is J03.8 valid for 2026?

Yes, J03.8 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ03.01Acute recurrent streptococcal tonsillitisNext →J03.80Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
Code Details
J03.8
Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J00-J06 — Acute upper respiratory infections
2026 ICD-10-CM