ICD-10 Code J40 – Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J40 – Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic
What it is
J40 identifies bronchitis when the record does not specify whether it is acute or chronic. Use it for a nonspecific diagnosis of bronchial inflammation affecting the airways.
Clinical signs
Common findings include cough, sputum production, and chest discomfort. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation if the note does not clearly distinguish acute from chronic bronchitis.
When to use this code
Use J40 when the provider documents “bronchitis” without further detail and does not state acute or chronic. It is also appropriate when the record supports bronchitis but the type remains unspecified after review. Do not infer acuity from symptoms alone.
Do not use for
Do not use J40 if the documentation clearly states acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, or another more specific respiratory diagnosis. Check documentation for COPD-related terms or other conditions that require different coding.
Coding tip
Query the provider when bronchitis is documented without acuity, because a more specific code may be available.