ICD-9-CM Code | Description |
---|---|
491.21 | Obstructive chronic bronchitis with acute exacerbation |
491.22 | Obstructive chronic bronchitis with acute bronchitis |
491.8 | Other chronic bronchitis |
491.9 | Unspecified chronic bronchitis |
2013 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Codes 491.* : Chronic bronchitis A subcategory of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The disease is characterized by hypersecretion of mucus accompanied by a chronic (more than 3 months in 2 consecutive years) productive cough. Infectious agents are a major cause of chronic bronchitis.
2012 ICD-9-CM Codes 490-496 : Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Allied Conditions. 490 Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic. 491 Chronic bronchitis. 492 Emphysema. 493 Asthma. 494 Bronchiectasis. 495 Extrinsic allergic alveolitis. 496 Chronic airway obstruction, not elsewhere classified. 460-519.
3 rows · DX acute exacerbation of copd, asthma 49121, 49122 DX Emphysema 4920, 4928 DX Obstructive ...
ICD-9 Code 491.22 Obstructive chronic bronchitis with acute bronchitis. ICD-9 Index; Chapter: 460–519; Section: 490-496; Block: 491 Chronic bronchitis; 491.22 - Obs chr bronc w ac bronc
491.22 is a legacy non-billable code used to specify a medical diagnosis of obstructive chronic bronchitis with acute bronchitis. This code was replaced on September 30, 2015 by its ICD-10 equivalent.
The inflamed bronchi produce a lot of mucus. This leads to cough and difficulty getting air in and out of the lungs. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause. Breathing in other fumes and dusts over a long period of time may also cause chronic bronchitis. Treatment will help your symptoms, but chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that keeps coming back or never goes away completely.
NEC "Not elsewhere classifiable" - This abbreviation in the Alphabetic Index represents "other specified". When a specific code is not available for a condition, the Alphabetic Index directs the coder to the "other specified” code in the Tabular List.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus, as well as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.
NOS "Not otherwise specified" - This abbreviation is the equivalent of unspecified.
Code also note - A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
Doctors use lung function tests, imaging tests, and blood tests to diagnose COPD. There is no cure. Treatments may relieve symptoms. They include medicines, oxygen therapy, surgery, or a lung transplant. Quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to treat COPD.
A diagnosis of COPD and acute bronchitis is classified to code 491.22. It is not necessary to assign code 466.0 (acute bronchitis) with 491.22. Code 491.22 is also assigned if the physician documents acute bronchitis with COPD exacerbation. However, if acute bronchitis is not mentioned with the COPD exacerbation, then code 491.21 is assigned (AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-9-CM, 2008, fourth quarter, pages 241-244).
Asthma with COPD is classified to code 493.2x. However, all coding directives in the Tabular List and index need to be reviewed to ensure appropriate code assignment. A fifth-digit sub classification is needed to identify the presence of status asthmaticus or exacerbation.
Exacerbation is defined as a decompensation of a chronic condition. It is also defined as an increased severity of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Although an infection can trigger it, an exacerbation is not the same as an infection superimposed on a chronic condition. Status asthmaticus is a continuous obstructive asthmatic state unrelieved after initial therapy measures.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic bronchitis alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency that is a genetic form of emphysema. The disease is most of the time characterized by the narrowing or obstruction of airflow and interference that hinders normal breathing. The primary risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is smoking or second hand smoking, heredity and air pollution.
When the acute exacerbation of COPD is clearly identified, it is the condition that will be designated as the principal diagnosis. (AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-9-CM, 1988, third quarter, pages 5-6).
Coding and sequencing for COPD are dependent on the physician documentation in the medical record and application of the Official Coding Guidelines for inpatient care.
Chronic bronchitis not specified as "obstructive" should be coded to J41.0-J42. Chronic bronchitis that is specified as obstructive is coded to category J44.-. Chronic indicates cough with mucous most days of the month for at least 3 months out of the year. D.
Note: When a respiratory condition is described as occurring in more than one site and is not specifically indexed, it should be classified to the lower anatomic site (e.g. tracheobronchitis to bronchitis in J40).
The response is true unless you pick with airway obstruction, then you would get J44.9. Does the documentation have to specifically say with airway obstruction? I thought this is what COPD meant? I couldn't find any coding clinic guidance about this issue for I-10.