J03.9
⚠ Non-billable (Header)Acute tonsillitis, unspecified
Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
⚠️ This is a category header code — not billable. Use a more specific child code below.
Also Known As
❌ Excludes1
directThese codes are mutually exclusive. Never code them together.
- • influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J09.X2, J10.1, J11.1)
❌ Excludes1
inheritedRules inherited from parent codes in the hierarchy.
- • acute sore throat (J02.-)
- • hypertrophy of tonsils (J35.1)
- • peritonsillar abscess (J36)
- • sore throat NOS (J02.9)
- • streptococcal sore throat (J02.0)
Clinical Description
ICD-10-CM code J03.9 represents acute tonsillitis, unspecified. This code falls under the Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) classification. It is a non-billable category header code. A more specific child code from the list below must be used for billing and reimbursement purposes.
This is a 5-character code at the 4th level of specificity. There are 2 more specific child codes under J03.9. Coders should note that J03.9 has 6 Excludes1 restriction(s) — codes that cannot be reported together on the same claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ICD-10 code J03.9?
ICD-10-CM code J03.9 is "Acute tonsillitis, unspecified". It belongs to the category: Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).
Is J03.9 a billable ICD-10 code?
No, J03.9 is a non-billable header code. A more specific child code must be used for billing.
What codes are excluded with J03.9?
J03.9 has 6 Excludes1 rule(s). These codes are mutually exclusive and cannot be coded together on the same claim.
Can J03.9 be coded with other codes?
J03.9 has 1 Excludes2 note(s). These conditions can be coded together if both are documented in the patient record.
Related Codes in J03
Other codes in the same category that may be relevant for differential coding:
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Data Source
CMS ICD-10-CM 2026 Tabular List
Updated October 1, 2025 (FY2026)