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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesChronic lower respiratory diseasesICD-10-CM j42-unspecified-chronic-bronchitis
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Chronic Bronchitis: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group J42 includes diagnoses for chronic bronchitis not otherwise specified, covering chronic productive cough and bronchial inflammation when more specific characterization is not documented. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters for chronic bronchitis lacking further specification of acute exacerbation, emphysematous changes, or other detailed features, capturing disease chronicity and respiratory involvement. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM J42 group supports complete clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM J42: Unspecified Chronic Bronchitis Overview

    The ICD-10-CM J42 group represents unspecified chronic bronchitis, a chronic lower respiratory condition characterized by persistent cough and sputum production without further specification. These diagnoses target the lower respiratory tract and reflect chronic inflammation of the bronchial airways. Accurate coding matters for proper clinical documentation and can affect claim adjudication and reimbursement.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a clinician documents chronic bronchitis but does not specify an acute exacerbation, associated emphysema, or other detailed subtypes. Assign these codes for encounters focused on management of chronic bronchitic symptoms when no more specific ICD-10-CM code is supported by the documentation.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    1 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    J42Unspecified chronic bronchitis

    DRG Codes

    3 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    190Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with MCC
    191Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with CC
    192Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A 68-year-old long-term smoker with a history of chronic productive cough for several years presents for routine follow-up because cough and sputum production have been persistent but stable without features of acute infection. The clinician documents ongoing chronic bronchitic symptoms attributed to long-standing airway disease after review of history and exam, and assigns a diagnosis from this group to reflect the unspecified chronic bronchitis as the primary chronic lower respiratory condition. Typical codes: J42
    • A 55-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities (coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes) is hospitalized for an unrelated cardiac evaluation but is noted to have chronic daily cough and occasional wheeze on admission history and physical; no acute exacerbation is present. The admitting team records the chronic airway condition as a comorbid diagnosis to inform inpatient management and risk stratification, using a code from this group to capture unspecified chronic bronchitis as a chronic comorbidity. Typical codes: J42
    • A 72-year-old resident of an assisted living facility is seen in the emergency department for progressive dyspnea and increased sputum over several days; after evaluation, an acute lower respiratory infection is not identified but baseline chronic productive cough is documented as part of the patient’s respiratory history. The ED provider documents the underlying chronic bronchitic disorder to explain baseline respiratory findings and to guide disposition, assigning a code from this group for unspecified chronic bronchitis in the context of acute symptoms. Typical codes: J42

    Related Codes

    J40-BRONCHITIS-NOT-SPECIFIED

    ICD-10-CM Code For Bronchitis Not Specified As Acute Or Chronic: Group Overview

    J41-SIMPLE-AND-MUCOPURULENT-CHRONIC-BRONCHITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Simple And Mucopurulent Chronic Bronchitis: Group Overview

    J43-EMPHYSEMA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Emphysema: Group Overview

    J44-OTHER-CHRONIC-OBSTRUCTIVE-PULMONARY-DISEASE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Group Overview

    J45-ASTHMA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Asthma: Group Overview

    J47-BRONCHIECTASIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Bronchiectasis: Group Overview

    J4A-CHRONIC-LUNG-ALLOGRAFT-DYSFUNCTION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction: 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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