2025 ICD-10-CM code J45.52
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Asthma - Chronic lower respiratory diseases Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) Feed
Severe persistent asthma with status asthmaticus.
Medical necessity for services related to J45.52 is established by the life-threatening nature of status asthmaticus.This condition requires immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure and potentially death. The documentation should reflect the severity and acuity of the patient's respiratory compromise.
Physicians, particularly pulmonologists, intensivists, and emergency medicine physicians, bear the clinical responsibility for managing patients in status asthmaticus.Their duties include: assessing respiratory function; administering bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and oxygen; monitoring vital signs; and intubating if necessary.
- Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
- J45: AsthmaJ45.5: Severe persistent asthmaJ45.52: Severe persistent asthma with status asthmaticus
In simple words: This code indicates a severe, ongoing asthma attack that doesn't respond to usual treatments and requires immediate medical care.
This code signifies the most severe form of persistent asthma, characterized by continuous symptoms, limited airflow, and frequent exacerbations.It is further complicated by status asthmaticus, a life-threatening condition where the airways become severely constricted, leading to respiratory failure if left untreated.The patient's condition necessitates urgent medical attention, often requiring hospitalization for stabilization and aggressive therapy.
Example 1: A patient with a history of severe persistent asthma presents to the ER with extreme difficulty breathing, wheezing, and cyanosis.Despite multiple nebulizer treatments, their condition worsens, leading to a diagnosis of status asthmaticus., A child with poorly controlled severe persistent asthma develops a severe cough and wheezing overnight.Despite their parents' efforts with a home nebulizer, the child's condition deteriorates, necessitating an ambulance transfer to the hospital with impending respiratory failure due to status asthmaticus., An adult with severe persistent asthma experiences a sudden worsening of symptoms after exposure to a known allergen.Despite using their rescue inhaler repeatedly, they develop severe respiratory distress and are admitted to the hospital with status asthmaticus.
Documentation for J45.52 must clearly support the diagnosis of both severe persistent asthma and status asthmaticus.This should include: history of asthma severity; current symptoms (e.g., wheezing, shortness of breath, use of accessory muscles); oxygen saturation levels; response to treatment; and evidence of respiratory distress, such as altered mental status or cyanosis.
** For accurate and specific coding, consider using tools like iFrameAI to assist with complex scenarios related to asthma and status asthmaticus. This will ensure that the documentation adequately supports the chosen code and reflects the appropriate level of service provided.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Office