ICD-10 J20
Non-Billable HeaderAcute bronchitis
About ICD-10-CM J20
ICD-10-CM code J20 represents Acute bronchitis. This is a non-billable header code in the Respiratory System chapter (block J20). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM J20 became effective on October 1, 2025. Non-billable codes cannot be used as a primary or secondary diagnosis on a claim, use a more specific child code instead.
Type 1 Excludes
Pure excludes, these codes can never be coded together with J20. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- bronchitis NOS (J40)
- tracheobronchitis NOS (J40)
Type 2 Excludes
Not included here, the excluded code is not part of J20, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. Both codes may be coded together when applicable.
- acute bronchitis with bronchiectasis (J47.0)
- acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive asthma (J44.0)
- acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.0)
- allergic bronchitis NOS (J45.909)
- bronchitis due to chemicals, fumes and vapors (J68.0)
- chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
- chronic mucopurulent bronchitis (J41.1)
- chronic obstructive bronchitis (J44.-)
- chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis (J44.-)
- chronic simple bronchitis (J41.0)
- chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)
Includes
- acute and subacute bronchitis (with) bronchospasm
- acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheitis
- acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheobronchitis, acute
- acute and subacute fibrinous bronchitis
- acute and subacute membranous bronchitis
- acute and subacute purulent bronchitis
- acute and subacute septic bronchitis
Medicare LCD Coverage for J20
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list J20 as a covered diagnosis.
This doesn't mean the code isn't covered, it means no MAC has issued a Local Coverage Determination naming this specific code. Coverage may still apply under National Coverage Determinations or general medical-necessity rules.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing J20.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but J20 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with J20
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
- 94620 Pulmonary function testing for respiratory symptoms Internal Medicine
Codes Adjacent To J20
Other codes in section J20-J22 (Other acute lower respiratory infections).
ICD-10 J20, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code J20 billable? +
No, J20 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block J20 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for J20? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with J20): bronchitis NOS (J40); tracheobronchitis NOS (J40)
What codes are Type 2 Excludes for J20? +
Type 2 Excludes (may be coded together when both conditions exist): acute bronchitis with bronchiectasis (J47.0); acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive asthma (J44.0); acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.0)
What CPT codes are commonly billed with J20? +
Procedures frequently paired with J20 include: 94620.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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