2025 ICD-10-CM code J20.8
(Valid) Effective Date: N/A Diseases of the respiratory system - Other acute lower respiratory infections 10 Feed
Acute bronchitis caused by a specific organism other than those listed in the other J20 codes.
Medical necessity for J20.8 must be supported by clinical documentation of the signs, symptoms, and diagnostic findings of acute bronchitis, and the identification of the causative organism.
The physician is responsible for diagnosing the specific cause of acute bronchitis and documenting it in the medical record.
In simple words: This code indicates acute bronchitis due to an organism other than common ones like Mycoplasma, Haemophilus influenzae, or certain viruses.
Acute bronchitis due to other specified organisms. This code is used when the acute bronchitis is caused by an organism that is not Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus, Coxsackievirus, Parainfluenza virus, Respiratory syncytial virus, Rhinovirus, or Echovirus.
Example 1: A patient presents with a cough, shortness of breath, and fever. The physician diagnoses acute bronchitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. J20.8 is used to specify the organism, Klebsiella pneumoniae., A patient with a history of asthma presents with wheezing and cough. After testing, it is determined that the patient has acute bronchitis due to Moraxella catarrhalis. J20.8 would be used., A child presents with a persistent cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. Testing reveals acute bronchitis due to Bordetella pertussis. J20.8 is used since the cause, Bordetella pertussis, is not specifically listed in the other categories under J20.
Documentation should include the cause of the acute bronchitis, signs, symptoms, and results of diagnostic tests, such as sputum culture, that confirm the causative organism.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pulmonology, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility, Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home