Pulmonology Coding Alert

Do you recall all the coding changes?

Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM code set received several additions on Oct. 1, 2023. Do you remember a few of the major diagnosis coding changes?

Examine the following scenarios, then assign one or more of the new codes to each one.

Question 1: A patient presented to a pulmonologist with complaints of fever, red and swollen skin, cough, and chest pain. The physician captured a history, performed a physical examination, ordered a chest X-ray, and took blood for lab testing. After reviewing the results, the pulmonologist diagnosed the patient with pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii.

What diagnosis code(s) will you assign for the encounter?

Question 2: A 60-year-old patient visited the pulmonologist’s office for a follow-up after a lung transplant. The patient reported increased shortness of breath, fatigue, and a persistent dry cough. After conducting a thorough examination and reviewing the patient’s recent pulmonary function tests showing a decline in lung volume, the pulmonologist diagnosed the patient with restrictive allograft syndrome.

What diagnosis code(s) will you assign for the encounter?

Question 3: A 45-year-old patient came to the pulmonologist complaining of persistent wheezing, shortness of breath, and productive cough with yellowish sputum. The pulmonologist performed a physical examination and noted decreased breath sounds and crackles. A chest X-ray was ordered, which showed signs of bronchial wall thickening. A spirometry test confirmed airflow obstruction. After a high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scan revealed dilated and thick-walled bronchi, the pulmonologist diagnosed the patient with chronic asthmatic bronchitis and bronchiectasis with acute exacerbation. Immediate treatment was initiated to manage the exacerbation.

What diagnosis code(s) will you assign for the encounter?

Now turn to page 5 to check your answers!