AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2019 Issue 1; Ask the EditorA 72-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema presents due to COPD exacerbation. The Alphabetic Index leads coding professionals to code J44.1, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation, for exacerbation of COPD. However, Coding Clinic Fourth Quarter 2017 advises to assign code J43.9, Emphysema, unspecified, when a patient with emphysema presents with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Excludes1 note found at category J44, Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prohibits the reporting of code J44.1 with code J43.9. If only code J43.9 is assigned, the acuity is not captured. What is the appropriate code assignment for an exacerbation of COPD with emphysema? ... Show To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS . Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads. Documenting and Coding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma in ICD-10by | Oct 16, 2019 | Blog, Medical Coding | With temperatures turning cooler, individuals with pulmonary diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma face risk of exacerbation of their condition. As COPD and asthma have common features, differentiating them can be complicated, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Practices also need to ensure accurate and up-to-date coding and proper documentation to ensure quality care and appropriate reimbursement, and avoid risk of audit. As physicians focus on diagnosing these chronic diseases and helping patients maximize lung function and manage exacerbations, medical billing outsourcing is a practical option to ensure accurate claim submission and payment. Asthma Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways. The condition causes the bronchial tubes to become swollen or inflamed, restricting air supply to and from the lungs. Asthma is caused by a combination of environmental and hereditary factors. Asthma triggers differ from person to person and include: pollen, dust mites, mold, pet hair, respiratory infections, physical activity, cold air, smoke, certain medications, some preservatives in foods and beverages, stress, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). According to the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC), 1 in 13 people in the U.S. have asthma. More than 25 million Americans have asthma and it is the leading chronic disease in children. COPD COPD is a major cause of disability and a leading cause of death in the United States. This chronic lung disease is characterized by obstructed airflow from the lungs. Smoking is the most common cause of COPD According to the Mayo Clinic, 20 to 30 percent of people who smoke on a regular basis develop COPD. The disease can also be the result of a genetic disorder. COPD can be made worse by exposure to environmental pollutants. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common types of COPD. According to the AAFP, in 2010, COPD was the primary diagnosis in 10.3 million physician office visits, 1.5 million emergency department (ED) visits, and 699,000 hospital discharges. The American Lung Association (ALA) estimates that there may be as many as 24 million American adults living with COPD (Healthline, 2018). Both asthma and COPD are treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduced risk of other associated conditions. Distinguishing between Asthma and COPD The AAFP lists the primary features of asthma and COPD as follows:
Distinguishing between COPD and asthma can have significant implications for management and life expectancy. As these conditions have many common features, the AAFP recommends that an approach that focuses on the features that can correctly distinguish asthma from COPD. To diagnose asthma or COPD, physicians need to perform a careful history that considers age; symptoms (especially onset and progression, variability, seasonality or periodicity, and persistence); history; social and occupational risk factors (including smoking history, previous diagnoses, and treatment); and response to treatment. ICD-10 Codes for Asthma and COPD
Points to Note when Coding Asthma and COPD
Physicians need to focus on accurate chart documentation and diagnosis reporting for these pulmonary conditions. With proper documentation, an experienced family practice medical billing company can help them assign the right codes and ensure optimal reimbursement. What is ICDICD-10 code: J44. 1 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute exacerbation, unspecified.
What is acute exacerbation in chronic obstructive lung disease?Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) describe the phenomenon of sudden worsening in airway function and respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD. These exacerbations can range from self-limited diseases to episodes of florid respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.
What is the ICDICD-Code J44. 9 is a billable ICD-10 code used for healthcare diagnosis reimbursement of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is sometimes referred to as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) or chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD).
Is COPD exacerbation chronic or acute?Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic illness that can be periodically punctuated by acute worsening of symptoms characterised clinically by increased dyspnoea, cough, sputum production and sputum purulence. This acute worsening of symptoms has been termed acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD).
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