ICD-10 Code J15.21 – Pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J15.21 – Pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus
What it is
J15.21 identifies pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Use it when the provider documents this organism as the cause of the lung infection.
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 this code when the record clearly states Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia, including culture-confirmed or clinically diagnosed cases attributed to that organism. It may also apply when the provider documents staph aureus as the infectious cause of pneumonia. Check documentation if the organism is uncertain or only suspected.
Do not use for
Do not use J15.21 for pneumonia due to other bacteria, viral pneumonia, or unspecified pneumonia. Do not assign it when Staphylococcus aureus is mentioned without a documented causal link to the pneumonia.
Coding tip
Code the organism only when the provider links Staphylococcus aureus to the pneumonia diagnosis.