J15
Non-Billable

Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified?

ICD-10-CM J15 is the diagnosis code for Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified. This code falls under the section "Influenza and pneumonia" 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 J15

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J15. They are mutually exclusive:

  • chlamydial pneumonia (J16.0)
  • congenital pneumonia (P23.-)
  • Legionnaires' disease (A48.1)
  • spirochetal pneumonia (A69.8)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J15 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Current CodeJ15 — Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified
Sub-Codes 10 entries
J15.0Pneumonia due to Klebsiella pneumoniaeBillableJ15.1Pneumonia due to PseudomonasBillableJ15.2Pneumonia due to staphylococcusNon-BillableJ15.20Pneumonia due to staphylococcus, unspecifiedBillableJ15.21Pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureusNon-BillableJ15.211Pneumonia due to Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureusBillableJ15.212Pneumonia due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureusBillableJ15.29Pneumonia due to other staphylococcusBillableJ15.3Pneumonia due to streptococcus, group BBillableJ15.4Pneumonia due to other streptococciBillableJ15.5Pneumonia due to Escherichia coliBillableJ15.6Pneumonia due to other Gram-negative bacteriaNon-BillableJ15.61Pneumonia due to Acinetobacter baumanniiBillableJ15.69Pneumonia due to other Gram-negative bacteriaBillableJ15.7Pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniaeBillableJ15.8Pneumonia due to other specified bacteriaBillableJ15.9Unspecified bacterial pneumoniaBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J15 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, J15 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does J15 mean?

J15 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is J15 in?

J15 is located in Section J09-J18 — "Influenza and pneumonia" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of J15?

J15 has 10 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: J15.0, J15.1, J15.2, J15.3, J15.4 and more.

When should I use J15?

Use J15 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified" 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 Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified?

The ICD-10-CM code for Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified is J15.

Can J15 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, J15 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is J15 in?

J15 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from J15?

Type 1 Excludes for J15 include: chlamydial pneumonia (J16.0); congenital pneumonia (P23.-); Legionnaires' disease (A48.1) and more.

Is J15 valid for 2026?

Yes, J15 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ14Pneumonia due to Hemophilus influenzaeNext →J15.0Pneumonia due to Klebsiella pneumoniae
Code Details
J15
Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J09-J18 — Influenza and pneumonia
2026 ICD-10-CM