ICD-10 Code J15.3 – Pneumonia due to streptococcus, group B (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J15.3 – Pneumonia due to streptococcus, group B
What it is
J15.3 identifies pneumonia caused by group B Streptococcus. Use it when the record clearly links the lung infection to this specific organism.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical pneumonia findings may include cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and imaging consistent with pulmonary infection.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents pneumonia due to group B streptococcus, also known as Streptococcus agalactiae. It fits confirmed or clearly stated organism-specific pneumonia in the chart. If the note only says pneumonia without an organism, code the unspecified pneumonia instead. Check documentation when the organism is listed only as a culture result without an explicit causal link.
Do not use for
Do not use J15.3 for streptococcal infections outside the lungs or for pneumonia caused by a different organism. Do not assign it when the record does not support a direct diagnosis of group B streptococcal pneumonia.
Coding tip
Look for explicit wording such as “due to group B strep” or “Streptococcus agalactiae pneumonia” before assigning J15.3.