Pulmonology Coding Alert

The bagassosis condition comes with a number of signs and symptoms.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis or extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) pertains to the swelling of the alveoli within the lung caused by hypersensitivity to inhaled organic dusts. An example of EAA is bagassosis, which refers to the inhalation of sugarcane dust particles in an occupational setting that can lead to various lung symptoms. When a pulmonologist diagnoses a patient with this condition, you would report it using the ICD-9 code 495.1 (Bagassosis).

Effective October 1, 2013, ICD-10 changes 495.1 to J67.1. The new code carries on with the same descriptor as its ICD-9 counterpart.

ICD difference: You should note no difference to the function of the new ICD- 10 code. In addition, J67.1, as its ICD-9 counterpart 495.2, applies to Bagassosis disease.

Coder tips: When the physician suspects that a patient has EAA, she should report the patient's signs and symptoms in the medical documentation. Usually the symptoms include fever (e.g., R50.2, Drug induced fever), shortness of breath (R06.02), chest pain (R07.9, Chest pain unspecified), weight loss (R63.4, Abnormal weight loss) and fatigue (e.g., G93.3, Postviral fatigue syndrome). However, don't consider these symptoms conclusive. The pulmonologist must take an extensive history, perform a thorough exam and order several diagnostic tests i.e., bronchoscopy (31622, 31623, 31624, 31628) and pulmonary function tests (94010, 94240, 94375, 94720).