J21
Non-Billable

Acute bronchiolitis

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Acute bronchiolitis?

ICD-10-CM J21 is the diagnosis code for Acute bronchiolitis. This code falls under the section "Other acute lower 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.

â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for J21

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in J21. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease (J84.115)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J21 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 4 entries
J21.0Acute bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virusBillableJ21.1Acute bronchiolitis due to human metapneumovirusBillableJ21.8Acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organismsBillableJ21.9Acute bronchiolitis, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J21 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, J21 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does J21 mean?

J21 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute bronchiolitis". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is J21 in?

J21 is located in Section J20-J22 — "Other acute lower respiratory infections" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of J21?

J21 has 4 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: J21.0, J21.1, J21.8, J21.9.

When should I use J21?

Use J21 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute bronchiolitis" 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 bronchiolitis?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute bronchiolitis is J21.

Can J21 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, J21 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is J21 in?

J21 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is J21 valid for 2026?

Yes, J21 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ20.9Acute bronchitis, unspecifiedNext →J21.0Acute bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus
Code Details
J21
Acute bronchiolitis
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J20-J22 — Other acute lower respiratory infections
2026 ICD-10-CM