ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
J15.21Pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus
J15.21 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 J15.21
J15.21 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus. It belongs to category J15 (bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified), 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 2 subcodes must be used instead.
Within J15.2 (pneumonia due to staphylococcus), J15.21 is specifically for pneumonia due to staphylococcus aureus. Related codes cover unspecified (J15.20) and other staphylococcus (J15.29).
To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: J15.211 (aureus) and J15.212 (aureus).
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 J15.21
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to J15.21.
› From J15 Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified
- bronchopneumonia due to bacteria other than S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae
Broader instructions also apply from J09-J18 Influenza and pneumonia and Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system.
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 J15.21
Is J15.21 billable?
- No. J15.21 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.