There is some confusion in my office with coding COPD w/emphysema in icd 10. Some coders agree that the correct coding of emphysema with COPD is J43.9 while others argue that when looking up in the index they get J44.9.
The confusion then comes when you look at J43.9 and there is an excludes 1 note stating that emphysema with chronic obstructive bronchitis should be coded to J44-. That is saying to me that if the provider doesn't document specifically chronic obstructive bronchitis then it is ok to pick up J43.9.
The modifiers in the index include the COPD with the J43.9 code Emphysema(chronic)(lung)(obstructive)(pulmonary).
I am siding with the J43.9 based on documentation of just COPD and emphysema if chronic obstructive bronchitis is documented then I would use J44.9. Is my reasoning wrong???
I just want to be sure that everyone is on the same page.
The confusion then comes when you look at J43.9 and there is an excludes 1 note stating that emphysema with chronic obstructive bronchitis should be coded to J44-. That is saying to me that if the provider doesn't document specifically chronic obstructive bronchitis then it is ok to pick up J43.9.
The modifiers in the index include the COPD with the J43.9 code Emphysema(chronic)(lung)(obstructive)(pulmonary).
I am siding with the J43.9 based on documentation of just COPD and emphysema if chronic obstructive bronchitis is documented then I would use J44.9. Is my reasoning wrong???
I just want to be sure that everyone is on the same page.