J20
Non-Billable

Acute bronchitis

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Acute bronchitis?

ICD-10-CM J20 is the diagnosis code for Acute bronchitis. 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.

⛔ Excludes1
â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for J20

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J20. They are mutually exclusive:

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

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

The following conditions are not included in J20. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • 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)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J20 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 10 entries
J20.0Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniaeBillableJ20.1Acute bronchitis due to Hemophilus influenzaeBillableJ20.2Acute bronchitis due to streptococcusBillableJ20.3Acute bronchitis due to coxsackievirusBillableJ20.4Acute bronchitis due to parainfluenza virusBillableJ20.5Acute bronchitis due to respiratory syncytial virusBillableJ20.6Acute bronchitis due to rhinovirusBillableJ20.7Acute bronchitis due to echovirusBillableJ20.8Acute bronchitis due to other specified organismsBillableJ20.9Acute bronchitis, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J20 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, J20 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does J20 mean?

J20 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute bronchitis". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is J20 in?

J20 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 J20?

J20 has 10 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: J20.0, J20.1, J20.2, J20.3, J20.4 and more.

When should I use J20?

Use J20 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute bronchitis" 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 bronchitis?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute bronchitis is J20.

Can J20 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, J20 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is J20 in?

J20 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from J20?

Type 1 Excludes for J20 include: bronchitis NOS (J40); tracheobronchitis NOS (J40).

Is J20 valid for 2026?

Yes, J20 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ18.9Pneumonia, unspecified organismNext →J20.0Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Code Details
J20
Acute bronchitis
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J20-J22 — Other acute lower respiratory infections
2026 ICD-10-CM