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    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther diseases of upper respiratory tractICD-10-CM j35-chronic-diseases-of-tonsils-and-adenoids
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Diseases Of Tonsils And Adenoids: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group J35 includes chronic hypertrophy, chronic tonsillitis, chronic adenoiditis, and other specified chronic diseases of the tonsils and adenoids that affect lymphoid tissue of the upper airway. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document conditions such as recurrent or persistent infection, obstructive hypertrophy, and postinfectious scarring that impact breathing, sleep, and oropharyngeal function, capturing disease severity, organ involvement, or clinical complexity relevant to this group. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM J35 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM J35: Chronic Diseases Of Tonsils And Adenoids Overview

    This group represents chronic and other long-term disorders of the tonsils and adenoids, components of the upper respiratory lymphoid tissue. These conditions affect the oropharynx and nasopharynx and can contribute to airway obstruction, recurrent infection, or altered voice and swallowing. Accurate coding is important to reflect clinical complexity and to support correct reimbursement and care planning.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when documentation indicates chronic or recurrent pathology of the tonsils or adenoids such as persistent infection, obstructive hypertrophy, or related sequelae. Select the specific code within the group that best reflects the documented site, laterality if applicable, and clinical manifestation.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    8 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    J35.01Chronic tonsillitis
    J35.02Chronic adenoiditis
    J35.03Chronic tonsillitis and adenoiditis
    J35.1Hypertrophy of tonsils
    J35.2Hypertrophy of adenoids
    J35.3Hypertrophy of tonsils with hypertrophy of adenoids
    J35.8Other chronic diseases of tonsils and adenoids
    J35.9Chronic disease of tonsils and adenoids, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    8 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    011Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC
    012Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC
    013Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC
    152Otitis Media and URI with MCC
    153Otitis Media and URI without MCC
    154Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
    155Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
    156Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A pediatric patient presents to primary care with persistent nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, snoring, and recurrent otitis media. Exam shows markedly enlarged adenoids obstructing the nasopharynx and contributing to eustachian tube dysfunction; symptoms have been present for months and impair sleep and hearing. An adenoidal hypertrophy diagnosis is assigned to explain the chronic upper airway obstruction and related otologic issues. Typical codes: J35.1
    • An adult with a history of recurrent sore throats and difficulty swallowing presents for evaluation of chronic tonsillar hypertrophy with asymmetric enlargement but no acute infection. The patient reports chronic halitosis and muffled voice; clinician documents benign tonsillar enlargement causing obstructive symptoms and consideration for elective tonsillectomy. A chronic tonsillar hypertrophy diagnosis is used to capture the noninfectious, long-standing enlargement. Typical codes: J35.3, J35.8
    • A child is brought to urgent care with high fever, severe throat pain, drooling, muffled voice and unilateral peritonsillar swelling on exam; concern for a peritonsillar abscess complicating underlying chronic tonsillar disease prompts urgent ENT evaluation. A code denoting chronic tonsillar disease with an acute suppurative complication is assigned to reflect the chronic condition complicated by acute abscess formation. Typical codes: J35.02, J35.9

    Related Codes

    J30-VASOMOTOR-AND-ALLERGIC-RHINITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Vasomotor And Allergic Rhinitis: Group Overview

    J31-CHRONIC-RHINITIS-NASOPHARYNGITIS-PHARYNGITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Rhinitis Nasopharyngitis And Pharyngitis: Group Overview

    J32-CHRONIC-SINUSITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Sinusitis: Group Overview

    J33-NASAL-POLYP

    ICD-10-CM Code For Nasal Polyp: Group Overview

    J34-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-NASAL-DISORDERS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Disorders Of Nose And Nasal Sinuses: Group Overview

    J36-PERITONSILLAR-ABSCESS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Peritonsillar Abscess: Group Overview

    J37-CHRONIC-LARYNGITIS-AND-LARYNGOTRACHEITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Laryngitis And Laryngotracheitis: Group Overview

    J38-DISEASES-OF-VOCAL-CORDS-AND-LARYNX

    ICD-10-CM Code For Diseases Of Vocal Cords And Larynx: Group Overview

    J39-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-UPPER-RESPIRATORY-TRACT

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Upper Respiratory Tract: 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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