J03 ICD-10-CM Code: Acute tonsillitis
A clear reference for the official code description, hierarchy, and related coding information from the FY 2027 U.S. release.
Official description
J03Acute tonsillitis
ICD-10-CM diagnosis code · United States clinical modification
Where J03 sits
- 1
Chapter 10
Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
- 2
Section
Acute upper respiratory infections (J00-J06)
- 3
Category J03
Acute tonsillitis
- 4
Code J03
Acute tonsillitis
Codes under J03
J03 is a non-billable category. Choose the child code that best matches the documented diagnosis.
Notes for this code
Inclusion terms
No inclusion terms are listed for J03.
Code first
No “code first” instruction is listed for J03.
Use additional code
No “use additional code” instruction is listed for J03.
Excludes1
Conditions that should not be reported together with this code.
- acute sore throat (J02.-)
- hypertrophy of tonsils (J35.1)
- peritonsillar abscess (J36)
- sore throat NOS (J02.9)
- streptococcal sore throat (J02.0)
Excludes2
Conditions not included here that may be reported separately when present.
- chronic tonsillitis (J35.0)
Source and release
- Data release
- U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027
- Effective date
- Oct 1, 2026
- Publisher
- Vero Scribe Inc.
This reference is generated from Vero’s ICD-10-CM description, hierarchy, and code-note dataset. The visible content and structured data share that source.
Frequently asked questions
What does ICD-10-CM code J03 mean?
J03 is the FY 2027 U.S. ICD-10-CM code for “Acute tonsillitis.”
Is J03 a billable or specific ICD-10-CM code?
No. J03 has more specific child codes in the FY 2027 reference data. Select the code that matches the documentation and confirm the active code set and payer requirements.
Where is J03 located in ICD-10-CM?
J03 is listed in Chapter 10, Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), within Acute upper respiratory infections (J00-J06) (J00–J06), under category J03, Acute tonsillitis.
What coding notes are listed for J03?
No inclusion terms are listed for J03 in this reference record. No code-first instruction is listed. Excludes1 notes: acute sore throat (J02.-); hypertrophy of tonsils (J35.1); peritonsillar abscess (J36); sore throat NOS (J02.9); streptococcal sore throat (J02.0). Excludes2 notes: chronic tonsillitis (J35.0).