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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

J03.8Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms

Not billable — use a more specific code

J03.8 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 J03.8

J03.8 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms. 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, choose J03.8 (due to other specified organisms) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: streptococcal tonsillitis (J03.0) and unspecified (J03.9).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: J03.80 (organisms) and J03.81 (organisms).

Don't report J03.8 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: diphtheritic tonsillitis (A36.0), herpesviral pharyngotonsillitis (B00.2), streptococcal tonsillitis (J03.0), tuberculous tonsillitis (A15.8) and 1 more.

Use an additional code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

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 J03.8

Coding notes

Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code
  • diphtheritic tonsillitis (A36.0)
  • herpesviral pharyngotonsillitis (B00.2)
  • streptococcal tonsillitis (J03.0)
  • tuberculous tonsillitis (A15.8)
  • Vincent's tonsillitis (A69.1)
Use additional codeAdd a secondary code to fully describe the condition
  • code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to J03.8.

› 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.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about J03.8

Is J03.8 billable?

No. J03.8 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.