J22: Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection
J22, unspecified acute lower respiratory infection, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 5 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 5 HCPCS Level II codes, including U0002 (2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19)…), U0001 (Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr…), G0238 (Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function…). The articles come from 4 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.
HCPCS Level II codes with J22 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U0002 | 2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19), any technique, multiple types or subtypes (includes all targets), non-cdc | Carrier judgment | — | 4 |
| U0001 | Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr diagnostic panel | Carrier judgment | — | 4 |
| G0238 | Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function, other than described by g0237, one on one, face to face, per 15 minutes (includes monitoring) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0237 | Therapeutic procedures to increase strength or endurance of respiratory muscles, face to face, one on one, each 15 minutes (includes monitoring) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0239 | Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function or increase strength or endurance of respiratory muscles, two or more individuals (includes monitoring) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
Medicare policy articles listing J22
- A56717: Billing and Coding: Respiratory Therapy (Respiratory Care) (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34430
- A58710: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58720: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58761: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
- A58747: Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L38988, L39001, L39038, L39044
A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover J22 (Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 5 Medicare billing and coding articles list J22 as a covered diagnosis for 5 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.
Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 J22?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are U0002 (2019-ncov coronavirus, sars-cov-2/2019-ncov (covid-19)…, 4 articles); U0001 (Cdc 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-ncov) real-time rt-pcr…, 4 articles); G0238 (Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function…, 1 article); G0237 (Therapeutic procedures to increase strength or endurance…, 1 article); G0239 (Therapeutic procedures to improve respiratory function or…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list J22?
A56717 (Billing and Coding: Respiratory Therapy (Respiratory Care)); A58710 (Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing); A58720 (Billing and Coding: MolDX: Molecular Syndromic Panels for Infectious Disease Pathogen Identification Testing), and 2 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code J22?
J22 is the ICD-10-CM code for unspecified acute lower respiratory infection, in category J22 (Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection), chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under U0002
- Watch U0002 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for U0002
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.
Chapter 10: Diseases of the respiratory system · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup