Can You Report Asthma With a COPD Exacerbation Case?
Question: Our pulmonologist saw a senior patient who was experiencing an exacerbation of their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient also has moderate persistent asthma that is controlled with medication. How do we report the patient’s conditions? Vermont Subscriber Answer: Start with the reason for the visit, which in this case is the exacerbation of the patient’s COPD. For this condition, assign J44.1 (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation). Parent code J44.- (Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) features a Code also note that instructs you to report an appropriate J45.- (Asthma) code if it applies — which it does in your case. You stated the patient has moderate persistent asthma that is controlled with medication, but the condition wasn’t aggravated at the time of the visit. Use J45.40 (Moderate persistent asthma, uncomplicated) to report the patient’s secondary condition. Don’t forget: Parent code J44.- also features a Use additional code note to identify other conditions that may contribute to the patient’s asthma. Examples of these codes include: Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
