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Compare/J15 vs J69

J15 vs J69

J15 (Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified) compared with J69 (Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).

Can these codes be reported together?

Yes, when both are documented. J15 carries an Excludes2 note covering J69: “pneumonia due to solids and liquids (J69.-)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Side by side

J15Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classifiedJ69Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: J15.0, J15.1, J15.20, J15.211, J15.212

Non-billable header

Report instead: J69.0, J69.1, J69.8

ClassificationJ00-J99 — Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99)J00-J99 — Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99)
DefinitionBacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (J15).Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (J69).
Includes
bronchopneumonia due to bacteria other than S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae
Use additional code
code, if applicable, to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)
Code first
, if applicable, associated influenza (J09.X1, J10.0-, J11.0-)

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources