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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

J45.5Severe persistent asthma

Not billable — use a more specific code

J45.5 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 3 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 J45.5

J45.5 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for severe persistent asthma. It belongs to category J45 (asthma), 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 3 subcodes must be used instead.

Within J45 (asthma), J45.5 is specifically for severe persistent asthma. Related codes cover mild intermittent asthma (J45.2), mild persistent asthma (J45.3), moderate persistent asthma (J45.4) and other and unspecified asthma (J45.9).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: J45.50 (uncomplicated), J45.51 (with (acute) exacerbation) and J45.52 (with status asthmaticus).

Use an additional code to identify: eosinophilic asthma (J82.83), exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22), exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81), history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891), occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31) 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 J45.5

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to J45.5.

› From J45 Asthma
Includes
  • allergic (predominantly) asthma
  • allergic bronchitis NOS
  • allergic rhinitis with asthma
  • atopic asthma
  • extrinsic allergic asthma
  • hay fever with asthma
  • idiosyncratic asthma
  • intrinsic nonallergic asthma
  • nonallergic asthma
Excludes1
Excludes2
  • asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.89)
  • chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis (J44.89)
  • chronic obstructive asthma (J44.89)
  • other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.89)
Use additional code
  • code to identify:
  • eosinophilic asthma (J82.83)
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

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

Codes whose notes reference J45.5

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 J45.5

Is J45.5 billable?

No. J45.5 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.