Some of the common chronic lung conditions that can adversely affect the quality of one’s life are Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD (Emphysema and chronic bronchitis), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and occupational lung diseases. These diseases can affect the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. Pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, primary care providers or other specialists involved in treating lung conditions can consider the support of an experienced medical coding company to report their services accurately on the medical claims and thus get proper reimbursement from insurers.
Proper diagnosis of Chronic lung disease (CLD) may involve a chest X-ray that shows scar tissues in the lungs, blood tests, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Echocardiogram, Computerized tomography (CT), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Open-lung biopsy, Lung (pulmonary) function test, or even Sleep study (polysomnogram). Pulmonary medical coding involves assigning accurate diagnosis and procedure codes for the treated conditions on physicians’ medical claims.
Lung diseases include many conditions such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, interstitial lung disease, asthma, and infections such as influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Pulmonologists are specialized in diagnosing and treating such diseases related to the respiratory system. Pulmonary medical coding involves submitting error-free medical claims to get the right reimbursement on-time.
Each year, October is observed as Healthy Lung Month to raise awareness about lung disease and the importance of protecting the lungs. Common symptoms of lung disease include chronic cough, chest pain, shortness of breath without any physical exertion, chronic mucus production, and wheezing. Based on the symptoms and diagnosis, doctors might recommend a lung test, bronchoscopy, CT scan, lung biopsy, exhaled nitric oxide test or more. Diagnoses should be documented using the right ICD-10 codes.
Chronic lung diseases are disorders affecting the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. These usually develop slowly and may get worse over time. Some of the common chronic lung conditions that can adversely affect the quality of one’s life include Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD (Emphysema and chronic bronchitis), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and occupational lung diseases. Pulmonary medical coding involves assigning accurate diagnosis and procedure codes for the treated conditions on physicians’ medical claims. Risk factors for these diseases include tobacco smoke, air pollution, occupational chemicals and dust, and frequent lower respiratory infections mainly during childhood.
Our experienced team is up-to-date with all new regulations and policies and Outsource Strategies International (OSI), our team of AAPC-certified coders is well-versed in the current codes related to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs and respiratory tract. With timely interventions and updates in working strategies, we work with you to minimize claim denial and enhance cash in-flow.
Call us at 1-800-670-2809!
Chronic lung disease (CLD) is usually diagnosed using a chest X-ray that shows scar tissues in the lungs, blood tests, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Echocardiogram, Computerized tomography (CT), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Open-lung biopsy, Lung (pulmonary) function test, or even Sleep study (polysomnogram).
ICD-10 Codes for Chronic Lung Diseases
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
This form of chronic lung disease affects newborns. Referred to as chronic lung disease of premature babies, this condition can be mild, moderate or severe. It occurs as a result of damage to the lungs or with long-term use of oxygen. Wilson Mikity syndrome (WMS) is another chronic lung disease affecting premature infants. This condition is sometimes considered as part of the spectrum of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
P27 Chronic respiratory disease originating in the perinatal period
P27.0 Wilson-Mikity syndrome
P27.1 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia originating in the perinatal period
P27.8 Other chronic respiratory diseases originating in the perinatal period
P27.9 Unspecified chronic respiratory disease originating in the perinatal period
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disorder that affects the lungs, digestive system, pancreas, and other organs. This disease may limit the ability to breathe over time. Symptoms may include persistent coughing, frequent lung infections, wheezing or shortness of breath, and chronic sinus infections.
E84 Cystic fibrosis
E84.0 Cystic fibrosis with pulmonary manifestations
E84.1 Cystic fibrosis with intestinal manifestations
E84.11 Meconium ileus in cystic fibrosis
E84.19 Cystic fibrosis with other intestinal manifestations
E84.8 Cystic fibrosis with other manifestations
E84.9 Cystic fibrosis, unspecified
Asthma
One of the most common types of CLD, asthma can be serious or even life-threatening. According to the American Lung Association, more than 26 million Americans have asthma, including 6.1 million children. Common symptoms of asthma include a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.
J45 Asthma
J45.2 Mild intermittent asthma
J45.3 Mild persistent asthma
J45.4 Moderate persistent asthma
J45.5 Severe persistent asthma
J45.9 Other and unspecified asthma
COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis)
COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that obstructs air flow from the lungs. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two common conditions that lead to COPD. Common symptoms include breathing difficulties, chest tightness, respiratory infections, wheezing, cough, and mucus production.
J40 Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic
J41 Simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis
J41.0 Simple chronic bronchitis
J41.1 Mucopurulent chronic bronchitis
J41.8 Mixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis
This chronic condition occurs when the blood pressure level is high. The condition can be associated with any lung or heart diseases. Treatments often help reduce the signs and symptoms and slow the progress of the disease.
I27.0 Primary pulmonary hypertension
I27.1 Kyphoscoliotic heart disease
I27.2 Other secondary pulmonary hypertension
I27.20 Pulmonary hypertension, unspecified
I27.21 Secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension
I27.22 Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease
I27.23 Pulmonary hypertension due to lung diseases and hypoxia
Occupational lung diseases are often the result of repeated, long-term exposure to any hazardous agents that can damage the lungs. Symptoms of such conditions may include abnormal breathing pattern, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Some types of occupational respiratory disease include Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, also known as Black Lung Disease, asbestosis, silicosis, Farmers’ lung (allergic alveolitis), and more. Occupational respiratory disease can also lead to lung cancer and other diseases. November is observed as lung cancer awareness month. This month helps raise awareness about the impact of the disease and challenges associated with this cancer.
Some of the ICD-10 codes related to occupational lung diseases include
J60 Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis
J61 Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral fibers
J62 Pneumoconiosis due to dust containing silica
J62.0 Pneumoconiosis due to talc dust
J62.8 Pneumoconiosis due to other dust containing silica
J63 Pneumoconiosis due to other inorganic dusts
J67 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to organic dust
J67.0 Farmer’s lung
Z77.090 Contact with and (suspected) exposure to asbestos
Pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, primary care providers or any other specialists involved in treating lung conditions can associate with an experienced medical coding company that can help report their services accurately on the medical claims and thus get proper reimbursement from insurers.
Each year, October is observed as Healthy Lung Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about lung disease, the importance of protecting the lungs, and possible ways of avoiding lung health issues. Pulmonology is a branch of internal medicine and pulmonologists are specialized in diagnosing and treating diseases of the respiratory system – the lungs and other organs that help you breathe. Lung diseases may refer to many conditions including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, interstitial lung disease, asthma, and infections such as influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Pulmonary medical coding must be error-free if the medical claims are to be reimbursed by the insurer on time. Assigning the right procedure and diagnosis codes minimizes claim denials and enhances cash in-flow for practices.
To keep the lungs healthy and prevent the risk of lung disease, the American Lung Association recommends exercising regularly, performing breathing exercises, avoiding smoking, avoiding exposure to indoor pollutants that can damage your lungs, reducing exposure to outdoor air pollution and getting vaccines against infectious respiratory. It is also important to screen for lung cancer even if there’s no signs of the condition, as early detection is critical to identifying and beating the disease.
Some of the common symptoms of lung disease include chronic cough that lasts for at least one month, chest pain mainly caused by breathing or coughing, shortness of breath without any physical exertion, chronic mucus production and wheezing. Depending on symptoms and diagnosis, doctors might recommend a lung test or procedure such as bronchoscopy, chest tube procedure, CT scan, lung biopsy, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), exhaled nitric oxide test and more. A pulmonologist can treat many kinds of lung problems. Diagnoses should be documented using right ICD-10 codes.
Being an experienced pulmonary medical billing company, our team is well-versed with the codes related to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs and respiratory tract. With timely interventions, we help practices to get reimbursement for the services they offer.
Benefit from a free medical coding trial! Call us at 1-800-670-2809!
Take a look at the ICD-10 codes to report common lung conditions treated by pulmonologists.
Professional medical coding companies will be up to date with any coding changes and updates. Practices can rely on such companies to submit accurate claims.
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the air sacs (the inner walls of the lungs-alveoli) get damaged, stretched and rupture – creating larger air spaces. This in turn reduces the surface area of the lungs and the amount of oxygen that reaches your blood stream. Regarded as a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the condition can cause chronic cough and difficulty in breathing. Generally, people with emphysema also have chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes) which leads to persistent cough. Long-term exposure to air-borne irritants including – tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke, air pollution and other chemical fumes and dust are the main factors that cause the obstructive pulmonary disease. Treatment for this condition is based on the type of symptoms – whether mild, moderate or severe. Treatment includes medications, the use of an inhaler, respiratory assistance and possibly surgery to prevent complications. There’s no cure for emphysema, but quitting the habit of smoking or reducing exposure to second-hand smoke can help control symptoms in a better manner. Physicians’ practices dealing with patients suffering from emphysema need to know the ICD-10 codes to report this condition correctly. Outsourced medical billing services from a reputable medical billing company can help in accurate and timely claim filing for appropriate reimbursement.
Reports suggest that about 3.5 million people, or 1.5 percent of the US population, received a diagnosis of emphysema in 2016. The number of deaths involving emphysema was 2.3 people in every 100,000. In most cases, men are more likely to develop emphysema than women. The exact reason for this is unknown, however differences between male and female hormones are suspected. Older age is one of the prominent risk factor for emphysema. Lung function normally declines with age. Therefore, the older the person, the more likely they will have enough lung tissue destruction to produce emphysema.
What Symptoms Occur?
In most cases, emphysema develops slowly. A person can have the condition for many years even without any noticeable signs and symptoms. Two of the key symptoms of emphysema are shortness of breath and a chronic cough – which appear in the early stages. Shortness of breath may be experienced only during physical exertion, but as the disease progresses, it can occur when the patient is resting as well. Other additional symptoms that can occur during the later stages of the disease include –
Frequent lung infections
Wheezing
Sleep problems
Reduced appetite and weight loss
Fatigue
Blue-tinged lips or fingernail beds, or cyanosis, due to a lack of oxygen
Anxiety and depression
A lot of mucus
Morning headaches (due to a lack of oxygen, when breathing at night is difficult)
When to Seek Medical Treatment?
If a person experience worsening shortness of breath, it is important to seek medical attention. As breathing problems can also occur with other diseases, (particularly heart disease and other lung diseases), it is important not to overlook or minimize this symptom. In addition, a gradual increase in the ability to exercise or perform daily activities, a persistent cough and wheezing problems should also suggest a regular visit to the physician.
In order to diagnose whether you have emphysema, physicians will conduct a detailed review of your medical history and do a physical examination. A wide variety of imaging tests like – chest X-ray, Computerized tomography (CT) scans will be conducted to correctly diagnose the root cause of shortness of breath. Lung function tests may also be conducted to measure how much air your lungs can hold and how well the air flows in and out of your lungs. In addition, blood tests may be conducted to determine how well your lungs transfer oxygen into, and remove carbon dioxide from, your bloodstream.
There is no specific cure for emphysema. However, treatment can help relieve the symptoms and slow the progression of the symptoms. Treatment for this type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may include a combination of medications and other therapies. Depending on the severity of symptoms, pulmonologists and other specialists may suggest medications like – bronchodilators, inhaled steroids and other antibiotics to help relieve shortness of breath. Therapies include – Pulmonary rehabilitation (breathing exercises and techniques), nutrition therapy (advice about proper nutrition), and supplemental oxygen therapy. In severe or advanced cases of emphysema, surgery will be considered as a last option and these include – lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and lung transplantation. Treatment procedures and other tests performed by pulmonologists or other specialists must be carefully documented using the correct medical codes. Medical billing and coding outsourcing services provided by established medical billing companies can help physicians use the correct codes for their billing purposes.
Prevention of this pulmonary disease is closely linked with the prevention of the habit of smoking or avoiding breathing or exposure to second-hand smoke. The primary risk factor for the occurrence of the condition is – smoking of cigarettes – active smokers are at increased risk of suffering from this condition. For individuals that have emphysema caused by other respiratory irritants – avoiding polluted environment is the best first step toward prevention. People who work with chemical fumes, dust or other pollutant environments need to wear a mask to protect their lungs.
Medical billing and coding for emphysema can be challenging, as there are several codes associated with the condition. By outsourcing these tasks to a reliable and established pulmonary medical coding company (that offers the services of AAPC-certified coding specialists), healthcare practices can ensure correct and timely medical billing and claims submission.
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