ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for chest infection
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Infection, infected, infective (opportunistic) › chest”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding chest infection
The ICD-10-CM code for chest infection is J22 (Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection).
Don't report J22 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: upper respiratory infection (acute) (J06.9).
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 205 (Other Respiratory System Diagnoses with MCC, relative weight 1.8244) and DRG 206 (Other Respiratory System Diagnoses without MCC, relative weight 0.9257), in MDC 04 (Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
Don't confuse with (Excludes1 for J22)
- upper respiratory infection (acute) (J06.9)
Common questions about chest infection ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for chest infection?
- J22 — Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection.
Is J22 billable?
- Yes. J22 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can J22 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict J22 as a principal diagnosis.
Is J22 a CC or MCC?
- No. J22 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.