J02.9 Acute pharyngitis, unspecified

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute pharyngitis, unspecified is J02.9 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

10: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)

Section

J00-J06: Acute upper respiratory infections (J00-J06)

Category J02

4 codes (3 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to J02.9:

• Pharyngitis (acute) (catarrhal)(gangrenous) (infective) (malignant) (membranous) (phlegmonous) (pseudomembranous) (simple) (subacute) (suppurative) (ulcerative) (viral)
• Faucitis
• Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › sore throat
• Pharyngitis (acute) (catarrhal)(gangrenous) (infective) (malignant) (membranous) (phlegmonous) (pseudomembranous) (simple) (subacute) (suppurative) (ulcerative) (viral) › putrid
• Pharyngitis (acute) (catarrhal)(gangrenous) (infective) (malignant) (membranous) (phlegmonous) (pseudomembranous) (simple) (subacute) (suppurative) (ulcerative) (viral) › purulent
• Necrosis, necrotic (ischemic) › pharynx

Inclusion Terms

• Gangrenous pharyngitis (acute)
• Infective pharyngitis (acute) NOS
• Pharyngitis (acute) NOS
• Sore throat (acute) NOS
• Suppurative pharyngitis (acute)
• Ulcerative pharyngitis (acute)

U.S. Hospital Utilization

• An estimated 36,790 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included J02.9 among the documented diagnoses.
• 1,405 stays listed it as the principal diagnosis.

Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.

Official Coding Guidelines

COPD/asthma: acute exacerbation vs uncomplicated

a. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] and Asthma 1) Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis and asthma The codes in categories J44 and J45 distinguish between uncomplicated cases and those in acute exacerbation. An acute exacerbation is a worsening or a decompensation of a chronic condition. An acute exacerbation is not equivalent to an infection superimposed on a chronic condition, though an exacerbation may be triggered by an infection.

Acute respiratory failure as principal diagnosis

b. Acute Respiratory Failure 1) Acute respiratory failure as principal diagnosis A code from subcategory J96.0, Acute respiratory failure, or subcategory J96.2, Acute and chronic respiratory failure, may be assigned as a principal diagnosis when it is the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission to the hospital, and the selection is supported by the Alphabetic Index and Tabular List. However, chapter- specific coding guidelines (such as obstetrics, poisoning, HIV, newborn) that provide sequencing direction take precedence.

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool
• AHRQ — HCUP National Inpatient Sample, Frequencies by Diagnosis Code (2016–2023)