ICD-10-CM · Chapter 10 · J00-J99
J42 Unspecified chronic bronchitis
Includes
- Chronic bronchitis NOS
- Chronic tracheitis
- Chronic tracheobronchitis
Excludes 1 (cannot be coded together)
- bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (J44.81)
- chronic asthmatic bronchitis (J44.-)
- chronic bronchitis with airways obstruction (J44.-)
- chronic emphysematous bronchitis (J44.-)
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease NOS (J44.9)
- simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis (J41.-)
Use Additional Code
- code to identify:
- 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)
Code Also
- , if applicable, chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.4)
This category is a complete, billable diagnosis code.
No additional specificity is required — submit J42 directly on claims and documentation without a subcode extension.
Plain-language term for this code
The following entry in the US Medical Glossary corresponds to ICD-10-CM category J42:
- Chronic Bronchitis — Bronquitis crónica
Last reviewed: September 2026