ICD-10 Code J15.211 – Pneumonia due to Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J15.211 – Pneumonia due to Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus
What it is
J15.211 identifies pneumonia caused by methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial lung infection confirmed or documented by the provider. Use it when the organism is specifically MSSA and the pneumonia diagnosis is established.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and imaging consistent with pneumonia. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, especially when the organism is identified from cultures or other provider-supported evidence.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record states pneumonia due to methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, MSSA pneumonia, or an equivalent documented diagnosis. Apply it when the provider links the pneumonia to MSSA, not merely Staphylococcus aureus in general.
If the chart only shows colonization, exposure, or a suspected organism without confirmed pneumonia, check documentation before coding. Make sure the record supports both the pneumonia diagnosis and the MSSA causative agent.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for MRSA pneumonia or for pneumonia due to an unspecified Staphylococcus species. Do not assign it when MSSA is mentioned without a documented pneumonia diagnosis.
Coding tip
Confirm that the provider names MSSA as the cause of pneumonia; otherwise, check documentation for a more general pneumonia code.