ICD-10 Code for Bronchitis: Acute & Chronic Billing Guide

If you’re a busy pulmonologist, medical coder, or practice manager dealing with respiratory cases, let’s talk straight about the ICD-10 code for bronchitis. It is an important thing not just for clinical accuracy, but for avoiding claim denials and ensuring proper reimbursement.

At Hello MDs, we’ve seen how inaccurate coding can delay payments or trigger audits. With years of experience in pulmonary RCM, our AAPC-certified coders have helped practices reduce bronchitis-related denials.

In this guide, we will break down ICD-10 codes for acute and chronic bronchitis, documentation tips, pitfalls, and even 2025 updates, all based on official CMS and AAPC standards. Plus, we’ll show how our team supports your claims process every step of the way.

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is the swelling and irritation of the bronchial tubes, the airways responsible for transporting air to and from the lungs. It typically leads to cough, mucus production, and breathing issues.

• Acute Bronchitis: It is a short-term condition that is often caused by bacterial infections. It’s typically resolved within a few days or a week.
• Chronic Bronchitis: It is a long-term condition that persists due to irritants like smoking, air pollution, or dust. It is commonly linked with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and may require ongoing treatment.

The ICD-10-CM code for bronchitis standardizes this for billing, reporting and reimbursement. As the ICD code 10 for bronchitis, it ensures compliance with HIPAA and payer rules.

Why Does Accurate Coding Matter?

• The CDC uses respiratory diagnosis codes like bronchitis to monitor public health trends.
• According to CMS, coding errors contribute to more than $36 billion in annual improper payments nationwide.
• Vague or unspecified codes often trigger claim denials or audits, especially with stricter post-pandemic surveillance and documentation guidelines in 2025.

At Hello MDs, our certified medical coders specialize in ICD-10 coding for respiratory diseases. By ensuring accurate and specific documentation, we help pulmonary providers reduce claim denials, improve compliance, and protect revenue integrity.

ICD-10 Codes for Acute Bronchitis

For sudden-onset cases, start with the ICD-10 code for acute bronchitis—J20.9 for unspecified. This is your default when no pathogen is identified, per ICD-10 guidelines Section I.C.10.a.

Need more detail?

• ICD-10 code for bronchitis: acute due to bacteria uses J20.0-J20.2, like J20.2 for Streptococcus.
• The ICD-10 code for acute bacterial bronchitis requires lab confirmation; otherwise, stick to unspecified to avoid upcoding risks flagged by OIG audits.

From AAPC resources, always classify based on acute vs chronic classification. Here’s a trusted breakdown:

Common ICD Subcodes of Bronchitis and When to Use Them

Here are commonly used subcodes (and when they apply):

Key Tip: If documentation does not support a more specific pathogen, do not upcode. The unspecified subtype (J20.9) is the defensible choice.

ICD-10 Codes for Chronic Bronchitis & Overlaps

Chronic bronchitis requires a cough for 3 months in 2 years (WHO criteria). The mainstay ICD-10 code for chronic bronchitis is J42 unspecified.
Comorbid scenarios demand care:

• ICD-10 code for chronic bronchitis with COPD: Report J44.9 primary (COPD unspecified), per CMS hierarchy rules, with J42 secondary if bronchitis exacerbates.
• ICD-10 code for bronchitis with asthma or ICD-10 code for asthmatic bronchitis: Use J45.901 for asthma with exacerbation; avoid dual-coding without documentation, as it violates guideline I.C.9.e.

Trustworthy Tip: Note diagnosis certainty (confirmed via spirometry) and onset date. CDC updates emphasize excluding codes like J40 unless acuity is truly unknown; it’s often denied for lack of specificity.

Note: Since bronchitis often leads to increased white blood cell counts, you can also explore our article on ICD-10 Leukocytosis to understand how such findings affect billing accuracy.

Documentation and Coding Best Practices in Bronchitis

• HPI: Onset, duration, symptoms, exposure history
• Physical exam: Breath sounds, wheezes, etc.
• Diagnostics: Cultures, viral panels, imaging
• Assessment: Suspected etiology
• Plan: Tests, therapies, follow-up
• Time documentation: Especially for time-based E/M
• Add secondary codes: Tobacco history (Z87.891), occupational exposure, etc.
• Correct usage of pointers, modifiers, and line-item linking

At Hello MDs we ensure this via expert reviews, aligning with medical billing for respiratory diseases.

CPT and HCPCS Coding Essentials in Bronchitis Billing

Although this guide is diagnosis-focused, you will often pair with procedure/treatment codes:

• E/M codes (e.g. 99213, 99214)
• Pulmonary function tests/spirometry
• Imaging (CXR)
• Treatment procedures: nebulization (CPT 94640), supplemental oxygen codes
• Drug codes/HCPCS: e.g., J7613 (albuterol), J1100 (steroids)
• Use modifiers, POS codes (e.g., 11 for office), and correct diagnosis pointers per CMS claims manual.

ICD-10 Coding Updates and Bronchitis Coding Best Practices

• No major bronchitis-specific changes in 2025 (per CDC / CMS October release), though minor edit corrections are common.
• Keep an eye on FY 2026 updates (effective October 1, 2025) — they may introduce new respiratory codes.
• Use the J68.0 code when bronchitis is due to inhalation of harmful gases or vapors.
• Hundreds of new, revised, and deleted codes and clarifications were included in the FY 2026 update, including refinements for respiratory conditions.
• Medical professionals must stay current with official releases from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) for accurate coding.

Common Coding Errors and Denial Risks in Bronchitis Billing

From audits and industry reports, frequent mistakes include:

• Using unspecified codes when specific documentation exists
• Missing diagnosis pointers or incorrect linking
• Ignoring exclusion rules (e.g., tobacco use Z72.0)
• Overcoding unsupported pathogens
• Omitting needed supporting codes
• Denials citing lack of specificity
• Modifier/NPI mismatch or missing prior authorization.

Hello MDs’ denial management team leverages this knowledge to recover funds and appeal effectively.

Why HelloMDs Adds Value in Pulmonary RCM

• AAPC-certified coders specializing in pulmonary
• Pre-claim auditing to catch specificity or pointer errors
• Denial management & appeals support
• Revenue analytics to identify leakage
• Continuous education for coding staff on annual ICD-10 / payer updates

We’ve helped clients steadily improve clean claim rates in respiratory service lines, and we back our services with defensible, guideline-aligned practices.

Conclusion

Accurate ICD-10 coding for acute and chronic bronchitis is essential to ensure proper billing, compliance, and to prevent costly claim denials. Staying updated with the latest 2025 coding guidelines and best practices helps providers navigate complex cases, especially when bronchitis overlaps with conditions like COPD or asthma. Proper documentation and code selection not only protect revenue but also support quality patient care.

At Hello MDs, our expert AAPC-certified coders and billing specialists are dedicated to helping practices achieve coding accuracy and streamline their revenue cycle, so you can focus on what matters most—your patients.

Disclaimer:

For informational purposes only; not intended as medical or billing advice. Always verify codes with official ICD-10 guidelines or call Hello Mds’ coding professionals. Some visuals may be AI-created for demonstration purposes.