---
title: "ICD-10-CM J03.91: Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified | BillingBrief"
description: "ICD-10-CM code J03.91: Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified. Category, related codes, and the official source, in plain English."
canonical: "https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j03.91/"
language: "en"
---

# J03.91 Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified

ICD-10-CM · [CMS code reference](#source)

**Official ICD-10-CM description:** Acute recurrent tonsillitis, unspecified

## Coding notes

From the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) tabular list. Notes on a parent code or category apply here too.

### Excludes1

Not coded together with this code. The exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

-   influenza virus with other respiratory manifestations (J09.X2, J10.1, J11.1)
-   acute sore throat (J02.-)
-   hypertrophy of tonsils (J35.1)
-   peritonsillar abscess (J36)
-   sore throat NOS ([J02.9](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j02.9/))
-   streptococcal sore throat ([J02.0](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j02.0/))
-   chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute lower respiratory infection ([J44.0](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j44.0/))

### Excludes2

Not part of this code, but both can be coded when both are documented.

-   chronic tonsillitis (J35.0)

## Related codes

-   [`J03.00` Acute streptococcal tonsillitis, unspecified ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j03.00/)
-   [`J03.01` Acute recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j03.01/)
-   [`J03.80` Acute tonsillitis due to other specified organisms ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j03.80/)
-   [`J03.81` Acute recurrent tonsillitis due to other specified organisms ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j03.81/)
-   [`J03.90` Acute tonsillitis, unspecified ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j03.90/)

## Common questions

### Is J03.91 a billable code?

Yes. J03.91 is a billable ICD-10-CM code in the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) code set.

## From the source

Official description from [CMS](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes).
ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026).

Code set

ICD-10-CM

Category

J03 Acute tonsillitis

Chapter

Diseases of the respiratory system

Billable

Yes

Educational reference only. Not medical, legal, or billing advice. Always check the current official code set and payer policy before you bill. [About BillingBrief and our sources](https://billingbrief.com/about/).