2025 ICD-10-CM code J69.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Diseases of the respiratory system - J69 10 Feed
Pneumonitis due to the inhalation of food or vomit.
Medical necessity for the diagnosis and treatment of J69.0 is established by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms of pneumonitis, along with evidence suggesting aspiration of food or vomit as the underlying cause.Treatment is medically necessary to prevent complications such as respiratory failure, sepsis, and death.
Physicians who diagnose and treat respiratory conditions, including pulmonologists, internists, hospitalists, and critical care specialists are responsible for the accurate documentation and coding of J69.0.This includes confirming the cause of the pneumonitis and distinguishing it from other forms of pneumonia.
In simple words: Aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection caused by inhaling food, vomit, or other substances into your lungs.
This code represents pneumonitis caused by inhaling food or vomit.It's also known as aspiration pneumonia and can involve the aspiration of saliva, liquids, or other foreign substances.
Example 1: A 70-year-old patient with a history of stroke presents with cough, fever, and shortness of breath.A chest X-ray reveals pneumonia, and the patient's history and physical exam suggest aspiration of food as the likely cause., A 30-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital after a drug overdose that resulted in a period of unresponsiveness. They subsequently develop pneumonia, and aspiration of vomit is suspected as the cause., An infant is brought to the emergency room with difficulty breathing after choking on formula. Imaging shows evidence of pneumonitis due to aspiration.
Documentation should include evidence of pneumonitis (e.g., imaging findings, symptoms) and clinical indicators supporting aspiration of food or vomit as the cause. This might include witnessed aspiration, a history of swallowing difficulties, or signs and symptoms consistent with aspiration.
** Conditions such as chemical pneumonitis, obstetric aspiration pneumonitis, neonatal aspiration syndromes, and post-procedural pneumonitis are excluded from J69.0 and have their own specific ICD-10-CM codes.
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Hospital Medicine, Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Skilled Nursing Facility, Nursing Facility