J45
Non-Billable

Asthma

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Asthma?

ICD-10-CM J45 is the diagnosis code for Asthma. This code falls under the section "Chronic lower respiratory diseases" 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 J45

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J45. They are mutually exclusive:

  • detergent asthma (J69.8)
  • miner's asthma (J60)
  • wheezing NOS (R06.2)
  • wood asthma (J67.8)

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

The following conditions are not included in J45. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.89)
  • chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis (J44.89)
  • chronic obstructive asthma (J44.89)
  • other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.89)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J45 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 5 entries
J45.2Mild intermittent asthmaNon-BillableJ45.20Mild intermittent asthma, uncomplicatedBillableJ45.21Mild intermittent asthma with (acute) exacerbationBillableJ45.22Mild intermittent asthma with status asthmaticusBillableJ45.3Mild persistent asthmaNon-BillableJ45.30Mild persistent asthma, uncomplicatedBillableJ45.31Mild persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbationBillableJ45.32Mild persistent asthma with status asthmaticusBillableJ45.4Moderate persistent asthmaNon-BillableJ45.40Moderate persistent asthma, uncomplicatedBillableJ45.41Moderate persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbationBillableJ45.42Moderate persistent asthma with status asthmaticusBillableJ45.5Severe persistent asthmaNon-BillableJ45.50Severe persistent asthma, uncomplicatedBillableJ45.51Severe persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbationBillableJ45.52Severe persistent asthma with status asthmaticusBillableJ45.9Other and unspecified asthmaNon-BillableJ45.90Unspecified asthmaNon-BillableJ45.901Unspecified asthma with (acute) exacerbationBillableJ45.902Unspecified asthma with status asthmaticusBillableJ45.909Unspecified asthma, uncomplicatedBillableJ45.99Other asthmaNon-BillableJ45.990Exercise induced bronchospasmBillableJ45.991Cough variant asthmaBillableJ45.998Other asthmaBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J45 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, J45 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does J45 mean?

J45 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Asthma". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is J45 in?

J45 is located in Section J40-J4A — "Chronic lower respiratory diseases" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of J45?

J45 has 5 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: J45.2, J45.3, J45.4, J45.5, J45.9.

When should I use J45?

Use J45 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Asthma" 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 Asthma?

The ICD-10-CM code for Asthma is J45.

Can J45 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, J45 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is J45 in?

J45 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from J45?

Type 1 Excludes for J45 include: detergent asthma (J69.8); miner's asthma (J60); wheezing NOS (R06.2) and more.

Is J45 valid for 2026?

Yes, J45 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ44.9Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecifiedNext →J45.2Mild intermittent asthma
Code Details
J45
Asthma
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J40-J4A — Chronic lower respiratory diseases
2026 ICD-10-CM