What is the ICD-10 code for Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic?

The ICD-10-CM code for Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic is J40 (fiscal year 2026). It is a billable diagnosis code.

What does ICD-10 code J40 mean?

J40 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic. Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic

Is J40 a billable ICD-10 code?

Yes, J40 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be used on medical claims.

What chapter is J40 in?

J40 is classified under Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), Section J40-J4A: Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4A).

What are the includes and excludes for J40?

Excludes1 (not coded here): acute bronchitis (J20.-); allergic bronchitis NOS (J45.909); asthmatic bronchitis NOS (J45.9-).

J40 Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic

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The ICD-10-CM code for Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic is J40 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter: 10: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
Section: J40-J4A: Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4A)
Category J40: 1 code (1 billable)
FY2026 Status: Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to J40:

Bronchitis (diffuse) (fibrinous) (hypostatic) (infective) (membranous)
Bronchitis (diffuse) (fibrinous) (hypostatic) (infective) (membranous) › catarrhal (l5 years of age and above)
Bronchitis (diffuse) (fibrinous) (hypostatic) (infective) (membranous) › with › tracheitis (l5 years of age and above)
Tracheitis (catarrhal) (infantile) (membranous) (plastic) (septal) (suppurative) (viral) › with › bronchitis (15 years of age and above)

Excludes1

Not coded here. These conditions should NOT be coded together with J40.

acute bronchitis (J20.-)
allergic bronchitis NOS (J45.909)
asthmatic bronchitis NOS (J45.9-)
bronchitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.0)

Use Additional Code

code to identify:
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
tobacco dependence (F17.-)
tobacco use (Z72.0)

Inclusion Terms

Bronchitis NOS
Bronchitis with tracheitis NOS
Catarrhal bronchitis
Tracheobronchitis NOS

U.S. Hospital Utilization

An estimated 55,380 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included J40 among the documented diagnoses.
2,945 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

Bronchitis NOS due to COVID-19—assign U07.1 + J40

Bronchitis not otherwise specified (NOS) due to COVID- 19 should be coded using code U07.1 and J40, Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic.

— ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026, Section I.C.1.g.1.c.ii

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.

— ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026, Section I.C.10.a.1

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