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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther acute lower respiratory infectionsICD-10-CM j20-acute-bronchitis
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Bronchitis: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group J20 includes acute bronchitis codes covering short-term infections of the bronchi caused by viral, bacterial, or unspecified pathogens and related acute lower respiratory infections. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters for inflammation of the lower airways, capturing features such as cough, sputum production, and acute airway involvement. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM J20 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM J20: Acute Bronchitis Overview

    The ICD-10-CM J20 group represents acute bronchitis and related acute lower respiratory infections affecting the bronchi and lower airways. These diagnoses target the respiratory system and cover infections that produce cough, sputum production, and acute airway inflammation. Accurate coding matters for proper clinical recordkeeping and supports correct billing and reimbursement by reflecting the acute infectious nature of the encounter.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when the clinical documentation describes an acute inflammatory infection of the bronchi, such as acute bronchitis with or without specified infectious agent. Assign the most specific J20 code available that matches the documented organism or the unspecified acute bronchitis when no organism is identified.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    10 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    J20.0Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae
    J20.1Acute bronchitis due to Hemophilus influenzae
    J20.2Acute bronchitis due to streptococcus
    J20.3Acute bronchitis due to coxsackievirus
    J20.4Acute bronchitis due to parainfluenza virus
    J20.5Acute bronchitis due to respiratory syncytial virus
    J20.6Acute bronchitis due to rhinovirus
    J20.7Acute bronchitis due to echovirus
    J20.8Acute bronchitis due to other specified organisms
    J20.9Acute bronchitis, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    202Bronchitis and Asthma with CC/MCC
    203Bronchitis and Asthma without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult presents to urgent care with a 3-day history of acute onset productive cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and low-grade fever after recent contact with a person with a confirmed viral upper respiratory infection. On exam there are diffuse wheezes and rhonchi, oxygen saturation is normal, and chest X-ray shows no consolidation; the clinician documents an acute bronchitic infection likely viral. Typical codes: J20.9, J20.3
    • A pediatric patient (age 2) is brought to the emergency department with high fever, cough, increased work of breathing, and inspiratory crackles; rapid testing identifies respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as the causative agent. The child requires supportive care and close monitoring for respiratory distress; the acute lower respiratory infection is attributed to a specific viral pathogen. Typical codes: J20.5, J20.0
    • An adult with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experiences an acute exacerbation characterized by increased sputum purulence, volume, and worsening dyspnea after developing a new acute lower respiratory infection; therapy is escalated and the infection is documented as bacterial in origin. Because the acute infectious bronchitis complicates underlying chronic lung disease and prompts additional treatment, an acute bronchitis code specific to a bacterial cause is assigned. Typical codes: J20.1, J20.4

    Related Codes

    J21-ACUTE-BRONCHIOLITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Bronchiolitis: Group Overview

    J22-UNSPECIFIED-ACUTE-LOWER-RESPIRATORY-INFECTION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Acute Lower Respiratory Infection: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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