J21.9
Billable

Acute bronchiolitis, unspecified

Billable / Specific Code

What is Acute bronchiolitis, unspecified?

ICD-10-CM J21.9 is the diagnosis code for Acute bronchiolitis, unspecified. This code falls under the section "Other acute lower 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 J21.9

✅ This Code Includes

  • Bronchiolitis (acute)

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J21.9. They are mutually exclusive:

  • chronic bronchiolitis (J44.89)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J21.9 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J21.9 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

Yes, J21.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What does J21.9 mean?

J21.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute bronchiolitis, 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 J21.9?

The parent code of J21.9 is J21 ("Acute bronchiolitis"). J21.9 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is J21.9 in?

J21.9 is located in Section J20-J22 — "Other acute lower respiratory infections" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

When should I use J21.9?

Use J21.9 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute bronchiolitis, 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 bronchiolitis, unspecified?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute bronchiolitis, unspecified is J21.9.

Can J21.9 be used for primary diagnosis?

Yes, J21.9 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.

What chapter is J21.9 in?

J21.9 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from J21.9?

Type 1 Excludes for J21.9 include: chronic bronchiolitis (J44.89).

Is J21.9 valid for 2026?

Yes, J21.9 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ21.8Acute bronchiolitis due to other specified organismsNext →J22Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection
Code Details
J21.9
Acute bronchiolitis, unspecified
Billable / Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J20-J22 — Other acute lower respiratory infections
2026 ICD-10-CM