2025 ICD-10-CM code J45.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Diseases of the respiratory system - Chronic lower respiratory diseases Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) Feed
Unspecified asthma. This code is used for asthma that is not further specified as allergic, intermittent, persistent, or occupational.
Medical necessity for services related to asthma is supported by the documentation of signs, symptoms, and diagnostic findings consistent with asthma, and the need for treatment and/or management of the condition.
The clinician is responsible for documenting the patient's symptoms, history, physical exam findings, and response to treatment, to support the diagnosis of asthma.If the specific type and severity of asthma can be determined, a more specific code should be used.
In simple words: This code is used when someone has asthma, but the medical records don't specify what kind it is or how severe it is.It covers various types, including allergic and non-allergic asthma, when more details aren't available.
Other and unspecified asthma. Includes: allergic (predominantly) asthma, allergic bronchitis NOS, allergic rhinitis with asthma, atopic asthma, extrinsic allergic asthma, hay fever with asthma, idiosyncratic asthma, intrinsic nonallergic asthma, nonallergic asthma. Excludes1: detergent asthma (J69.8), miner's asthma (J60), wheezing NOS (R06.2), wood asthma (J67.8). Excludes2: asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.89), chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis (J44.89), chronic obstructive asthma (J44.89), other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.89).
Example 1: A patient presents with wheezing and shortness of breath, and is diagnosed with asthma, but further workup to classify the severity and type of asthma is not completed at this time. J45.9 would be used., A patient with a long-standing history of "asthma" presents for an unrelated complaint.The medical record does not provide further details regarding the type or severity. J45.9 is appropriate in this case., A patient is seen in the emergency room for an acute asthma exacerbation.The documentation focuses on the acute symptoms and treatment, and does not specify the underlying type or severity of asthma. J45.9 would be used.
Documentation should support the diagnosis of asthma with symptoms, physical exam findings, and/or diagnostic test results. If known, document any known allergies, triggers, severity, and response to treatment.
** For accurate coding, refer to current ICD-10-CM guidelines and coding manuals.