COPD Coding Clinics RE: re:FW: CHF question

Below are relevant Coding Clinics re COPD. There are others but these two pretty much say it all. Hope it helps.

COPD in exacerbation
Coding Clinic, Third Quarter 2002 Page: 18 Effective with discharges: October 31, 2002
Question:

We are seeing the terms "decompensated COPD," or "decompensated COPD with exacerbation." Is it appropriate to assign code 491.21 in these cases?

Answer:

Assign code 491.21, Obstructive chronic bronchitis, With acute exacerbation, for "decompensated COPD." Decompensated COPD is an exacerbation of COPD.

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COPD in exacerbation
Coding Clinic, Third Quarter 2002 Page: 18 Effective with discharges: October 31, 2002
      
Question:

The patient comes into the hospital with "COPD in exacerbation." Can this be coded as "COPD with acute exacerbation" or does the physician have to state "acute?"

Answer:

Assign code 491.21, Obstructive chronic bronchitis, With acute exacerbation, for the following diagnoses: COPD in exacerbation, severe COPD in exacerbation, endstage COPD in exacerbation, and exacerbation of COPD.

Sharon


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