---
title: "ICD-10-CM J44.81: Bronchiolitis obliterans and… | BillingBrief"
description: "ICD-10-CM code J44.81: Bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Category, related codes, and the official source, in plain English."
canonical: "https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j44.81/"
language: "en"
---

# J44.81 Bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome

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

**Official ICD-10-CM description:** Bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome

## Coding notes

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

### Also covers

-   Obliterative bronchiolitis

### Includes

-   asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
-   chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis
-   chronic bronchitis with airway obstruction
-   chronic bronchitis with emphysema
-   chronic emphysematous bronchitis
-   chronic obstructive asthma
-   chronic obstructive bronchitis
-   chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis

### Excludes1

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

-   bronchitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.0)

### Excludes2

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

-   bronchiectasis (J47.-)
-   chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
-   chronic simple and mucopurulent bronchitis (J41.-)
-   chronic tracheitis (J42)
-   chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)
-   emphysema without chronic bronchitis (J43.-)
-   cystic fibrosis (E84.-)

### Code first

Code the underlying condition first, then this code.

-   , if applicable:
-   complication of bone marrow transplant (T86.09)
-   complication of stem cell transplant (T86.5)
-   heart-lung transplant rejection (T86.31)
-   lung transplant rejection (T86.810)
-   other complications of heart-lung transplant (T86.39)
-   other complications of lung transplant (T86.818)

### Code also

A second code may be needed. Sequencing depends on the encounter.

-   , if applicable, associated conditions, such as:
-   chronic graft-versus-host disease (D89.811)
-   chronic lung allograft dysfunction (J4A.-)
-   chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.4)
-   type of asthma, if applicable (J45.-)

## Related codes

-   [`J44.0` Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) lower respiratory infection ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j44.0/)
-   [`J44.1` Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j44.1/)
-   [`J44.89` Other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j44.89/)
-   [`J44.9` Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/j44.9/)

## Common questions

### Is J44.81 a billable code?

Yes. J44.81 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

J44 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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/).