AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2004 Issue 4; Ask the Editor
Acute Bronchitis with Acute Exacerbation of Asthma
A 45-year-old female with fever, cough, and nasal discharge is seen in the physician’s office. The discharge diagnoses listed are acute bronchitis with asthma. The patient’s record also documents asthma. What should be the principal diagnosis and which fifth digit for the asthma code should be used? ...
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Article Overview
This premium coding article addresses diagnosis coding for an office visit involving acute bronchitis and asthma. It is aimed at coders and billing staff who need to understand sequencing considerations and the general handling of asthma-related diagnosis coding when both acute and chronic conditions appear in the record. The article focuses on how the case is interpreted in relation to ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding and the distinction between an acute respiratory infection and an asthma exacerbation.
Why This Topic Matters
Correct diagnosis sequencing and accurate capture of asthma-related documentation can affect claim accuracy, code selection, and the consistency of medical record coding.
What You Will Learn
- How a visit involving acute bronchitis and asthma is approached for diagnosis sequencing
- How asthma documentation is evaluated in the context of an acute respiratory illness
- How the article frames the relationship between acute and chronic diagnoses for coding purposes
- What type of coding considerations are discussed for office-based encounter documentation
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Physician office staff
Codes Discussed
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