AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2009 Issue 1; Ask the Editor

Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Occurring Post-Partum

The patient is 37-year-old woman who was admitted five-weeks post-partum for treatment of an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/asthma. The patient had an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. She has anemia and hypertension and a past history of tobacco abuse. The obstetric coding guidelines seem to imply that any condition occurring during pregnancy, childbirth, or the puerperium is considered to be a complication unless the attending physician specifically documents that it not. Since the COPD is a pre-existing condition, would a chapter 11 obstetric code be assigned? How should this case be coded? ...

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