J36 vs J39.0
J36 (Peritonsillar abscess) compared with J39.0 (Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.
Can these codes be reported together?
No — do not report together. J36 carries an Excludes1 note covering J39.0: “retropharyngeal abscess (J39.0)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
No — do not report together. J39.0 carries an Excludes1 note covering J36: “peritonsillar abscess (J36)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
Side by side
| J36Peritonsillar abscess | J39.0Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | J00-J99 — Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99) | J00-J99 — Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99) |
| Definition | Peritonsillar abscess is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (J36). | Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (J39.0). |
| Includes | abscess of tonsil peritonsillar cellulitis quinsy | Peripharyngeal abscess |
| Use additional code | code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent. | — |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources