2025 ICD-10-CM code J44.0
(Valid) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with acute lower respiratory infection - Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J47) Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) Feed
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a concurrent acute lower respiratory infection. This code should be used in conjunction with an additional code to specify the type of infection.
No modifiers are applicable to ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.
Medical necessity for the use of J44.0 hinges on the physician's documentation supporting the co-existence of both COPD and an acute lower respiratory infection.The documentation should demonstrate that the patient's clinical picture warrants the separate identification of both conditions, influencing the course of treatment.
Physicians using this code are responsible for documenting both the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the acute lower respiratory infection.This includes the patient's history, physical exam findings, and results of diagnostic tests confirming both conditions. The physician should also specify the type of acute lower respiratory infection diagnosed.
In simple words: This code indicates that a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term lung problem that makes it hard to breathe, also has a new infection in their lungs, like bronchitis or pneumonia.
This ICD-10-CM code designates a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) accompanied by an acute infection of the lower respiratory tract.COPD encompasses conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema that cause airflow blockage in the lungs.The presence of J44.0 signifies an active lower respiratory infection complicating the pre-existing COPD.A secondary code identifying the specific infection (e.g., J20.9 for Acute bronchitis, unspecified) is required for complete and accurate coding.
Example 1: A patient with a history of emphysema (J43.9) presents with cough, fever, and increased shortness of breath.A chest x-ray reveals pneumonia.The physician diagnoses COPD with acute pneumonia (J44.0 and J18.9)., A patient with chronic bronchitis (J41.0) develops worsening cough, purulent sputum production, and wheezing.The physician diagnoses COPD with acute bronchitis (J44.0 and J20.9)., A patient known to have COPD (J44.9) experiences increased difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and a low-grade fever.The physician determines the patient is experiencing a COPD exacerbation with a concurrent acute lower respiratory infection.After further investigation including physical exam and diagnostic test results, it is confirmed that the infection is acute bronchiolitis (J44.0 and J20.0).
Documentation must support both the COPD and the acute lower respiratory infection diagnoses.This should include:* History of COPD (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema).* Symptoms of acute infection (e.g., fever, cough, sputum production, shortness of breath).* Physical exam findings consistent with both conditions.* Diagnostic test results (e.g., chest x-ray, sputum culture) confirming the type of infection.* Treatment plan for both COPD and the infection.
** For accurate and comprehensive coding, utilize iFrameAI for the latest coding updates and guidelines. This information is current as of 2024-11-30 and is subject to change.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home