2025 ICD-10-CM code J20
Acute bronchitis. Includes acute or subacute bronchitis, possibly with bronchospasm, tracheitis, or tracheobronchitis.
Medical necessity for J20 is established by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with acute bronchitis, such as a persistent cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath. The documentation should support the severity and duration of the symptoms to justify the medical treatment provided.
Clinicians diagnosing and treating respiratory conditions are responsible for accurately documenting the patient's symptoms, the duration and severity of the illness, and any associated conditions. The diagnosis should be supported by clinical findings, such as auscultation of the chest and assessment of the patient's respiratory function. If a specific pathogen is identified, it should be documented to allow for more specific coding (e.g., J20.0 for Mycoplasma pneumoniae).
In simple words: Acute bronchitis is a sudden inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to your lungs. This swelling and mucus production can lead to coughing and difficulty breathing.
Acute bronchitis includes acute and subacute bronchitis (with) bronchospasm, acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheitis, acute and subacute bronchitis (with) tracheobronchitis, acute, acute and subacute fibrinous bronchitis, acute and subacute membranous bronchitis, acute and subacute purulent bronchitis, and acute and subacute septic bronchitis.
Example 1: A 35-year-old patient presents with a persistent cough, production of clear mucus, and mild shortness of breath. The symptoms started a week ago and have progressively worsened. The physician diagnoses acute bronchitis after a physical examination and rules out pneumonia. The code J20 is assigned., A 60-year-old patient with a history of COPD experiences an acute exacerbation of bronchitis. The patient presents with increased cough, purulent sputum production, and shortness of breath. The physician diagnoses acute bronchitis superimposed on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J20 and J44.0 (For COPD with acute lower respiratory infection) are assigned., A 10-year-old child presents with a cough, runny nose, and low-grade fever. The physician diagnoses acute bronchitis secondary to a viral infection. J20 is assigned.
Documentation should include the type of bronchitis (acute), associated symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, sputum production), and duration of symptoms. If a specific organism is identified, it should be documented.Any underlying conditions, such as COPD or asthma, should also be noted.
** For accurate reporting, it's crucial to differentiate acute bronchitis (J20) from chronic bronchitis (J40-J42) based on the duration and nature of the symptoms.If known, identify specific organisms to allow for the use of more specific J20 codes (J20.0-J20.8). Use additional codes as needed to capture exposure to tobacco smoke or history of tobacco use/dependence.
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