U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027

J42 ICD-10-CM Code: Unspecified chronic bronchitis

A clear reference for the official code description, hierarchy, and related coding information from the FY 2027 U.S. release.

Code definition

Official description

J42

Unspecified chronic bronchitis

ICD-10-CM diagnosis code · United States clinical modification

Classification

Where J42 sits

  1. 1

    Chapter 10

    Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)

  2. 2

    Section

    Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4B)

  3. 3

    Category J42

    Unspecified chronic bronchitis

  4. 4

    Code J42

    Unspecified chronic bronchitis

Documentation details

Notes for this code

Inclusion terms

  • Chronic bronchitis NOS
  • Chronic tracheitis
  • Chronic tracheobronchitis

Code first

No “code first” instruction is listed for J42.

Use additional code

  • code to identify:
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

Excludes1

Conditions that should not be reported together with this code.

  • bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (J44.81)
  • chronic asthmatic bronchitis (J44.-)
  • chronic bronchitis with airways obstruction (J44.-)
  • chronic emphysematous bronchitis (J44.-)
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease NOS (J44.9)
  • simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis (J41.-)

Excludes2

Conditions not included here that may be reported separately when present.

No Excludes2 note is listed for J42.

Transparency

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.

Review the CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM source

Code-specific guidance

Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CM code J42 mean?

J42 is the FY 2027 U.S. ICD-10-CM code for “Unspecified chronic bronchitis.”

Is J42 a billable or specific ICD-10-CM code?

Yes. In the FY 2027 reference data used on this page, J42 has no child codes and is presented as a billable/specific code. Always confirm the active code set and payer requirements before use.

Where is J42 located in ICD-10-CM?

J42 is listed in Chapter 10, Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), within Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4B) (J40–J4B), under category J42, Unspecified chronic bronchitis.

What coding notes are listed for J42?

Its listed inclusion terms are Chronic bronchitis NOS; Chronic tracheitis; Chronic tracheobronchitis. No code-first instruction is listed. Additional-code instructions: code to identify:; exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22); exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81); history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891); occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31); tobacco dependence (F17.-); tobacco use (Z72.0). Excludes1 notes: bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (J44.81); chronic asthmatic bronchitis (J44.-); chronic bronchitis with airways obstruction (J44.-); chronic emphysematous bronchitis (J44.-); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease NOS (J44.9); simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis (J41.-). No Excludes2 note is listed.

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