ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for acute adenoiditis
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Adenoiditis (chronic) › acute”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding acute adenoiditis
The ICD-10-CM code for acute adenoiditis is J03.90 (Acute tonsillitis, unspecified). The official index lists 7 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on J03.90.
Within J03.9, choose J03.90 (tonsillitis, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified (J03.91).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 011 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC, relative weight 5.6154), DRG 012 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC, relative weight 4.381), DRG 013 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC, relative weight 2.7307), DRG 152 (Otitis Media and URI with MCC, relative weight 1.1151) and DRG 153 (Otitis Media and URI without MCC, relative weight 0.7421), in Pre-MDC and MDC 03 (Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific acute adenoiditis codes (official index)
- recurrent J03.91 — Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified
- specified organism NEC J03.80 — Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
- recurrent J03.81 — Acute recurrent tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
- staphylococcal J03.80 — Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
- recurrent J03.81 — Acute recurrent tonsillitis due to other specified organisms
- streptococcal J03.00 — Acute streptococcal tonsillitis, unspecified
- recurrent J03.01 — Acute recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis
Common questions about acute adenoiditis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for acute adenoiditis?
- J03.90 — Acute tonsillitis, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: J03.91, J03.80, J03.81, J03.80 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for recurrent acute adenoiditis?
- J03.91 — Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for staphylococcal acute adenoiditis?
- J03.80 — Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms.
What is the ICD-10 code for streptococcal acute adenoiditis?
- J03.00 — Acute streptococcal tonsillitis, unspecified.
Is J03.90 billable?
- Yes. J03.90 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can J03.90 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict J03.90 as a principal diagnosis.
Is J03.90 a CC or MCC?
- No. J03.90 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.