Aspiration Pneumonia vs Aspiration Pneumonitis vs Cough and Hypoxia due to aspiration of fluid as th

suzanne.swisher@gmail.comsuzanne.swisher@gmail.com
in Clinical & Coding

Does anyone know why there are not separate codes for aspiration pna and aspiration pneumonitis? They are 2 different conditions: different manifestations, evolution, and different treatments. One develops into an infection and the other does not. This has been a challenge in educating our providers because the same code, J69.0 is for both diagnoses. There are 2 separate HAC categories as well. Via 3M: Pneumonia -> Aspiration -> Other/unspecified (assumes due to food and/or vomit) -> Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit -> J69.0. Has this question been submitted to the cooperating parties before? Thank you.  

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