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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

J44Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Not billable — use a more specific code

J44 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 4 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 J44

J44 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It belongs to block J40-J4B (chronic lower respiratory diseases) and chapter 10 (diseases of the respiratory system). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 4 subcodes must be used instead.

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: J44.0 (infection), J44.1 (exacerbation), J44.8 (disease) and J44.9 (unspecified).

The conditions in its Excludes2 note aren't part of J44, but may be coded alongside it if the patient has both: bronchiectasis (J47.-), chronic bronchitis NOS (J42), chronic simple and mucopurulent bronchitis (J41.-), chronic tracheitis (J42) and 2 more.

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 J44

Coding notes

IncludesFurther defines the content of the category
  • asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis
  • chronic bronchitis with airway obstruction
  • chronic bronchitis with emphysema
  • chronic emphysematous bronchitis
  • chronic obstructive asthma
  • chronic obstructive bronchitis
  • chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis
Excludes2Not included here — may be reported together if both conditions exist
  • bronchiectasis (J47.-)
  • chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
  • chronic simple and mucopurulent bronchitis (J41.-)
  • chronic tracheitis (J42)
  • chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)
  • emphysema without chronic bronchitis (J43.-)
Code alsoTwo codes may be needed; sequencing depends on circumstances
  • type of asthma, if applicable (J45.-)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to J44.

Broader instructions also apply from J40-J4B Chronic lower respiratory diseases and Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system.

Codes whose notes reference J44

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 J44

Is J44 billable?

No. J44 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.