ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

J03.0Streptococcal tonsillitis

Not billable — use a more specific code

J03.0 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 2 more specific codes beneath it.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About J03.0

J03.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for streptococcal tonsillitis. It belongs to category J03 (acute tonsillitis), block J00-J06 (acute upper respiratory infections) and chapter 10 (diseases of the respiratory system). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 2 subcodes must be used instead.

Within J03 (acute tonsillitis), J03.0 is specifically for streptococcal tonsillitis. Related codes cover due to other specified organisms (J03.8) and unspecified (J03.9).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: J03.00 (unspecified) and J03.01 (tonsillitis).

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Specific codes under J03.0

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to J03.0.

› From J03 Acute tonsillitis

Excludes1

acute sore throat (J02.-)
hypertrophy of tonsils (J35.1)
peritonsillar abscess (J36)
sore throat NOS (J02.9)
streptococcal sore throat (J02.0)

Excludes2

chronic tonsillitis (J35.0)

Broader instructions also apply from J00-J06 Acute upper respiratory infections and Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system.

Codes whose notes reference J03.0

J03.8Excludes1

Code history

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about J03.0

Is J03.0 billable?: No. J03.0 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.