AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2024 Issue 2; Ask the Editor
Emphysema/Bronchiectasis and COPD
In previous issues of Coding Clinic (Fourth Quarter 2017 and First Quarter 2019), it was advised to report only code J43.9, Emphysema, unspecified, for a patient with both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema because emphysema is a specific form of COPD. This Coding Clinic advice further stated that it was not appropriate to report codes from both categories J43, Emphysema, and J44, Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, because of the Excludes1 notes at both categories.Effective with the October 1, 2023, updates, the Excludes1 notes found at categories J43 and J44 were changed to Excludes2 notes, which now appears to allow the reporting of codes from both categories, when appropriate. However, when referencing “Disease, lung, obstructive (chronic), with emphysema,” only code J43.9 is provided. Do these Excludes note changes allow the reporting of COPD separately in a patient with emphysema? Please clarify the proper code assignment for COPD in a patient with emphysema. ...
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Article Overview
This article is for coding professionals who need current ICD-10-CM guidance on respiratory conditions involving COPD, emphysema, and bronchiectasis. It explains the context of prior Coding Clinic recommendations, then focuses on how later official updates affect the relevant code categories and related reporting considerations. The piece is useful for anyone reviewing respiratory diagnosis coding and maintaining awareness of changes tied to ICD-10-CM updates.
Why This Topic Matters
Respiratory diagnosis coding can be affected by changes in official coding guidance and code-set updates. Understanding whether older Coding Clinic advice still applies helps support accurate, consistent reporting and reduces the risk of outdated coding practices.
Article Sections
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Prior Coding Clinic guidance
Summarizes earlier Coding Clinic advice involving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, along with the related ICD-10-CM categories referenced in that guidance.
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October 1, 2023 updates
Introduces the later ICD-10-CM update period and the code-category changes discussed in relation to prior respiratory coding guidance.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames earlier and later coding guidance for respiratory diagnoses
- Which ICD-10-CM code categories are central to the discussion
- Why the timing of official code-set updates matters for coding review
- How the article connects COPD-related topics with bronchiectasis and emphysema guidance
Who Should Read This
- Coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation integrity specialists
- Health information management professionals
- Revenue cycle teams
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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