Don’t Overthink a Lower Respiratory Infection Coding Case
Question: What is the code for a viral lower respiratory tract infection? Do I add a separate cough code to the claim? If the virus causing the infection isn’t known, would I add B97.89 to the claim? Florida Subscriber Answer: Code J22 (Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection) is designated for an unspecified lower respiratory infection that is acute in nature. This code also features an additional condition of acute lower respiratory tract infection, not otherwise specified (NOS), which lines up with the diagnosis in your question. Including B97.89 (Other viral agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere) doesn’t add any descriptive clarity for the patient’s condition, so you don’t need to assign the code to your report. A cough is a common symptom of a respiratory infection. Therefore, you won’t add a cough code from the R05.- (Cough) category to your report. On the other hand, if the physician did not issue a viral lower respiratory tract infection diagnosis, you’d code the symptoms that were documented in the medical record. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Development Editor, AAPC
