2025 ICD-10-CM code J68.0
Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors. Chemical bronchitis (acute).
Medical necessity for this code is established by the presence of bronchitis or pneumonitis directly resulting from the inhalation of harmful substances.The documentation must clearly link the exposure to the respiratory condition.
Physicians use this code when a patient presents with respiratory symptoms and a history of exposure to chemicals, gases, fumes, or vapors.It's crucial to document the specific inhaled substance to support the diagnosis.
In simple words: This describes a condition where the lungs become inflamed due to breathing in harmful substances like chemicals, gases, fumes, or vapors.
This code signifies bronchitis and pneumonitis caused by the inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes, and vapors.It includes chemical pneumonitis.
Example 1: A factory worker develops cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain after exposure to chlorine gas. Diagnosis: J68.0, A firefighter experiences breathing difficulties and inflammation in the lungs after inhaling smoke during a fire.Diagnosis: J68.0, A homeowner inhales fumes from a strong cleaning agent, leading to bronchitis. Diagnosis: J68.0
Documentation should include the type of chemical, gas, fume, or vapor inhaled, the duration of exposure, the onset and nature of symptoms, and any related medical history.
** Excludes2: certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96), certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99), complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (O00-O9A), congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99), endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88), injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), neoplasms (C00-D49), smoke inhalation (T59.81-), symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94).
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Occupational Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Federally Qualified Health Center, Public Health Clinic, Rural Health Clinic, and other places of service depending on the severity and setting of care.