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ICD-10 Coding for Acute Bronchospasm(J98.01)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Bronchospasm. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

BronchospasmAcute Wheezing

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Acute Bronchospasm

J98.0-J98.01Primary Range

Respiratory disorders, not elsewhere classified

This range includes acute bronchospasm when not associated with asthma or COPD.

Asthma

Used when bronchospasm is associated with asthma.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Used when bronchospasm is associated with COPD.

Acute bronchitis

Used when bronchospasm is associated with acute bronchitis.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for acute bronchospasm

Essential facts and insights about Acute Bronchospasm

The ICD-10 code for acute bronchospasm is J98.01, used when no underlying asthma or COPD is present.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for acute bronchospasm

Acute bronchospasm
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Acute onset of wheezing and chest tightness without chronic respiratory conditions

coding Criteria

  • No history of asthma or COPD in patient records

documentation Criteria

  • Explicit documentation of acute bronchospasm without underlying conditions

Applicable To

  • Isolated acute bronchospasm

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Absence of chronic respiratory conditions (asthma/COPD) in documentation
  • Acute onset symptoms such as wheezing and chest tightness
  • Negative spirometry/pulmonary function tests for asthma

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using J98.01 when asthma or COPD is present

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation explicitly states the absence of asthma or COPD.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Cough

R05
Use to document cough associated with bronchospasm.

Wheezing

R06.02
Use to document wheezing associated with bronchospasm.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Unspecified asthma with (acute) exacerbation

J45.901
Use when bronchospasm is part of an asthma exacerbation.

COPD with (acute) exacerbation

J44.1
Use when bronchospasm is part of a COPD exacerbation.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Bronchospasm to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code J98.01.

Impact

Clinical: Misrepresentation of patient condition, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential claim denials

Mitigation Strategy

Include detailed patient history, Use templates for documentation

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to claim denials., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use J45.901 for asthma with acute exacerbation

Impact

Using J98.01 without excluding asthma/COPD

Mitigation Strategy

Implement documentation checks for chronic condition exclusion

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Acute Bronchospasm, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Acute Bronchospasm

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Bronchospasm. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Emergency Department Visit

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Acute symptom onset
  • Exclusion of asthma/COPD
  • Response to treatment

Example Documentation

45M with sudden-onset wheezing after chemical exposure. No asthma history. Resolved with albuterol.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has bronchospasm.
Good Documentation Example
Acute bronchospasm triggered by viral URI, no history of asthma. Spirometry shows reversible obstruction.
Explanation
The good example provides specific triggers, excludes chronic conditions, and includes test results.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Acute Bronchospasm? Ask your questions below.

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