Pulmonology Coding Alert

Mind patient's symptoms until you get a definite diagnosis.

Bird-fancier's lung is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (also known as extrinsic allergic alveolitis or EAA) caused by bird droppings. When a pulmonologist diagnoses a patient with this disease, you should report it using the ICD-9 code 495.2 (Bird-fancier's lung).

Effective October 1, 2013, ICD-10 changes 495.2 to J67.2, keeping descriptor unaffected.

ICD difference: You should note no difference to the function of the new ICD-10 code. In addition, J67.2, as its ICD-9 counterpart 495.2, applies to budgerigar fancier's disease and pigeon fancier's disease.

Coder tips: Symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis " of which bird-fancier's lung is one type " can include fever (780.6), shortness of breath (786.05), chest pain (786.50), weight loss (783.21) and fatigue (780.79). Once the pulmonologist definitively diagnoses the patient with EAA, you should code to the highest level of specificity.