COPD ICD-10-CM Codes | 2023

What ICD-10 Codes Are Used for COPD?

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a long-term lung disease that restricts airflow and causes difficulty breathing. Here are some commonly used ICD-10-CM codes for COPD:

• J44.9: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified. This code is used when COPD is diagnosed but not further specified in the patient's medical record.
• J44.1: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation. This code represents COPD with an acute exacerbation, an episode when symptoms worsen rapidly.
• J44.0: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute lower respiratory infection. This code is used when a patient with COPD has a simultaneous acute lower respiratory infection.
• J43.9: Emphysema, unspecified. Emphysema is a type of COPD, and this code is used when emphysema is diagnosed but not further specified.
• J41.8: Other chronic simple and mucopurulent bronchitis. This code represents chronic bronchitis, another form of COPD, mainly when it's simple or mucopurulent.
• J42: Unspecified chronic bronchitis. This code is used for chronic bronchitis, a condition of COPD, when it's not further specified in the patient's medical record.

Which COPD ICD Codes Are Billable?

COPD-related health conditions have specific ICD-10-CM codes that are billable:

• J44.9: Yes, as it represents a diagnosed medical condition, i.e., COPD, that is not further specified.
• J44.1: Yes, as it is used when COPD symptoms exacerbate acutely.
• J44.0: Yes, this code is billable when COPD coincides with an acute lower respiratory infection.
• J43.9: Yes, it's billable as it represents a type of COPD - emphysema, even when not further specified.
• J41.8: Yes, it represents a specific form of COPD - chronic bronchitis, making it billable.
• J42: Yes, this code is billable for unspecified chronic bronchitis.

Clinical Information

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that obstructs airflow from the lungs. Here's some critical clinical information:

• COPD is characterized by difficulty breathing, cough, and mucus production.
• It is a progressive disease that typically worsens over time and can lead to significant shortness of breath.
• The primary cause of COPD is tobacco smoking, but other environmental exposures may contribute.
• COPD can often co-occur with other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.
• Diagnosing COPD involves testing lung function with a spirometry test, which measures how well your lungs work.
• COPD has no cure yet, but treatments can help manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.

Synonyms Include:

• Chronic Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease
• Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
• Chronic Airflow Obstruction