ICD-10 Code J18.8 – Other pneumonia, unspecified organism (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J18.8 – Other pneumonia, unspecified organism
What it is
J18.8 identifies pneumonia when the record supports pneumonia but does not name a specific organism or fit a more specific pneumonia code. Use it for documented “other pneumonia” diagnoses that are not otherwise classified.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical pneumonia findings may include cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and imaging consistent with lung infection.
When to use this code
Use J18.8 when the provider documents pneumonia and specifies “other” or another nonclassified form, but does not identify the organism. It also fits cases where the chart supports pneumonia, yet the causative agent is not documented. If the record names a specific organism or type, code that more specific diagnosis instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for viral, bacterial, aspiration, or organism-specific pneumonia when those are documented. Check documentation if the record instead describes a different lower respiratory infection or a noninfectious lung process.
Coding tip
Code the most specific pneumonia term in the note first, and use J18.8 only when the documentation truly remains nonspecific.