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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

J15Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified

Not billable — use a more specific code

J15 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 10 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 J15

J15 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified. It belongs to block J09-J18 (influenza and pneumonia) and chapter 10 (diseases of the respiratory system). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 10 subcodes must be used instead.

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: J15.0 (pneumoniae), J15.1 (pseudomonas), J15.2 (staphylococcus), J15.3 (B), J15.4 (streptococci), J15.5 (coli), J15.6 (bacteria), J15.7 (pneumoniae) and 2 more.

Don't report J15 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: chlamydial pneumonia (J16.0), congenital pneumonia (P23.-), Legionnaires' disease (A48.1) and spirochetal pneumonia (A69.8).

Code first: , if applicable, associated influenza (J09.X1, J10.0-, J11.0-).

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 J15

Coding notes

IncludesFurther defines the content of the category
  • bronchopneumonia due to bacteria other than S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae
Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code
  • chlamydial pneumonia (J16.0)
  • congenital pneumonia (P23.-)
  • Legionnaires' disease (A48.1)
  • spirochetal pneumonia (A69.8)
Code firstSequence the underlying condition first
Code alsoTwo codes may be needed; sequencing depends on circumstances
  • , if applicable, any associated condition such as:
  • abscess (J85.1)
  • aspiration pneumonia (J69.-)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to J15.

Broader instructions also apply from J09-J18 Influenza and pneumonia and Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system.

Codes whose notes reference J15

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 J15

Is J15 billable?

No. J15 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.