All ICD10 Codes
J42BillableNon-CCHCC 280

Unspecified chronic bronchitis

Diseases of the Respiratory System·Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4B)·category·FY 2027

Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD is a group of lung diseases that make it hard to breathe and get worse over time. The other main type of COPD is emphysema. Most people with COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but how severe each type is can be different from person to person.

Read more about chronic bronchitis on MedlinePlus · Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Also indexed as: Bronchitis, with, tracheitis, chronic; Bronchitis, chronic; Bronchitis, chronic, with, tracheitis; Bronchitis, senile; Bronchorrhea, chronic; Infection, trachea, chronic; Pharyngotracheitis; Tracheitis, with, bronchitis, chronic; Tracheitis, chronic; Tracheitis, chronic, with, bronchitis; Tracheopharyngitis, chronic

Instructional notes

Includes: conditions that are coded here

  • Chronic bronchitis NOS
  • Chronic tracheitis
  • Chronic tracheobronchitis

Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code

  • bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (J44.81)
  • chronic asthmatic bronchitis (J44.-)
  • chronic bronchitis with airways obstruction (J44.-)
  • chronic emphysematous bronchitis (J44.-)
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease NOS (J44.9)
  • simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis (J41.-)

Code also: add a code for this too, order depends on the encounter

  • if applicable, chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.4)

Use additional code: add a second code for this, listed after this one

  • code 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)

Also applies, from Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4B)

These notes sit on J40-J4B and apply to every code under it, including J42.

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.-)

Where J42 sits

MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, this code groups to these MS-DRGs (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

Codes whose notes mention J42

If you are coding one of these, its note tells you to add J42 too (Code Also, Use Additional Code), code it first (Code First), or not use it together (Excludes1).

  • J04.1 Excludes2: chronic tracheitis (J42)
  • J20 Excludes2: chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
  • J20 Excludes2: chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)
  • J37.1 Excludes1: chronic tracheitis (J42)
  • J41 Excludes2: chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
  • J44 Excludes2: chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
  • J44 Excludes2: chronic tracheitis (J42)
  • J44 Excludes2: chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)
  • J68.4 Code Also: chronic bronchitis (J42)

Code history

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Legacy crosswalk from the CMS General Equivalence Mappings (last updated 2018).

  • 491.9 Unspecified chronic bronchitis
ICD-9 to ICD-10 converter