Is ICD-10-CM code J44 billable?

No, J44 (Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code. It must be coded to a more specific subcategory before it can be used for reimbursement.

What chapter does ICD-10-CM code J44 belong to?

J44 belongs to Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM tabular list: J00–J99 (Diseases of the Respiratory System).

J44Non-billable

Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Diseases of the Respiratory System·Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4A)·category·FY 2026

Use a more specific code (3 billable, 1 non-billable)

J44.0Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) lower respiratory infection J44.1Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation J44.8Other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary diseasehas subcodes J44.9Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified

CH10 Parent Instructions

Excludes2(Not included here. Code separately if applicable.)

certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
neoplasms (C00-D49)
smoke inhalation (T59.81-)
symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Use Additional Code

code, where applicable, to identify:
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
tobacco dependence (F17.-)
tobacco use (Z72.0)

J40-J4A Parent Instructions

Excludes1(Not coded here. Use a different code.)

bronchitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.0)

Excludes2(Not included here. Code separately if applicable.)

cystic fibrosis (E84.-)

Instructional Notes

Includes

asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis
chronic bronchitis with airway obstruction
chronic bronchitis with emphysema
chronic emphysematous bronchitis
chronic obstructive asthma
chronic obstructive bronchitis
chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis

Excludes2(Not included here. Code separately if applicable.)

bronchiectasis (J47.-)
chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
chronic simple and mucopurulent bronchitis (J41.-)
chronic tracheitis (J42)
chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)
emphysema without chronic bronchitis (J43.-)

Code Also

type of asthma, if applicable (J45.-)

Clinical Hierarchy

BillableHas subcodes

CH10Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)

J40-J4AChronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4A)

J44Other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseNot billable

J44.0Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) lower respiratory infectionBillable

J44.1Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbationBillable

J44.8Other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseSubcodes

J44.9Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecifiedBillable

MS-DRG Classification

2026

No direct MS-DRG triggers identified.