Chronic airway obstruction, not elsewhere classified ICD-9-CM 496 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 496 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015.
The condition being treated (e.g., respiratory failure) needs to be clearly documented by the provider. However, we sometimes get documentation of airway protection in cases where we are also documenting acute resp failure.
But in other cases of encephalopathy, seizures, overdose, etc we truly are intubating for airway protection because the patient is unable to clear secretions, is bradypneic, etc. In those cases where intubation was for airway protection but the provider IS documenting Respiratory Failure, do you:
Email The first time I read “airway protection” documented in the medical record, I realized it would require a more in-depth record review and research because airway protection by itself is not a diagnosis. It does, however, imply potential or impending complications related to the patient’s protective airway mechanisms.
Persons encountering health services in other specified circumstancesZ76. 89 is a valid ICD-10-CM diagnosis code meaning 'Persons encountering health services in other specified circumstances'. It is also suitable for: Persons encountering health services NOS.
496 - Chronic airway obstruction, not elsewhere classified. ICD-10-CM.
History of falling81 - History of falling is a sample topic from the ICD-10-CM. To view other topics, please log in or purchase a subscription. ICD-10-CM 2022 Coding Guide™ from Unbound Medicine.
9 Acute upper respiratory infection, unspecified.
Airway disease due to other specific organic dustsJ66. 8 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM J66. 8 became effective on October 1, 2021.This is the American ICD-10-CM version of J66.
The airway starts from the nostrils and continues until the lungs. There are several conditions that can result in blockages or an obstruction in the airway. This is the compromised airway.
However, coders should not code Z91. 81 as a primary diagnosis unless there is no other alternative, as this code is from the “Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services,” similar to the V-code section from ICD-9.
ICD-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).
When a patient has a history of cerebrovascular disease without any sequelae or late effects, ICD-10 code Z86. 73 should be assigned.
9: Fever, unspecified.
ICD-10 Code for Unspecified asthma with (acute) exacerbation- J45. 901- Codify by AAPC.
The way I think about “airway protection” is that the patient’s airway literally needs protecting. It is endangered by blood, secretions, vomitus, inflamed tissue, or a foreign body. If you insert a tube from the outside to the inside to open up the upper airways and the patient doesn’t need supplemental oxygen or increased ventilation, then that is airway protection. You must also exclude from the respiratory failure calculation patients upon whom ventilation is iatrogenically imposed, because they must be sedated and paralyzed to endure being intubated for their “airway protection.” Bona fide airway protection is a rare occurrence.
Oxygenation is bringing oxygen in from the inspired air, and ventilation is offloading carbon dioxide that has been generated during cellular respiration (glucose + O 2 = CO 2 + H 2 O + energy). If a patient is hypoventilating, he or she is destined to become both hypoxic and hypercapnic without intervention.
Bona fide airway protection is a rare occurrence. The issue could be upper airway, pulmonary, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, or hematological, but the ultimate consequence of respiratory failure is characterized as inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system – which, left unchecked, will result in incompatibility with life.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z99.11 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Z77-Z99 Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status