ICD-10 Coding for Allergic Asthma(J45.909, J45.40)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Allergic Asthma. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Allergic Asthma
J45.2-J45.9Primary Range
Asthma
This range includes all types of asthma, with specific codes for allergic asthma.
Vasomotor and allergic rhinitis
This range includes codes for allergic rhinitis, which often coexists with allergic asthma.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J45.909 | Unspecified asthma, uncomplicated | Use when asthma is diagnosed but severity and complications are not specified. |
|
| J45.40 | Moderate persistent asthma, uncomplicated | Use for moderate persistent asthma without acute exacerbation or status asthmaticus. |
|
Clinical Decision Support
Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.
Key Information: ICD-10 code for allergic asthma
Essential facts and insights about Allergic Asthma
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for allergic asthma
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of asthma symptoms without specified severity or complications.
Applicable To
- Asthma NOS
Excludes
- Asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Documented asthma diagnosis
- Absence of specified severity or complication
Code-Specific Risks
- Risk of under-documentation leading to reimbursement issues.
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies the type of asthma and any related allergic conditions.
J45.40 - Moderate persistent asthma, uncomplicated
Use for moderate persistent asthma without acute exacerbation or status asthmaticus.
Applicable To
- Moderate persistent asthma
Excludes
- Asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (J44.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Documented moderate persistent asthma
- Spirometry results showing FEV1 between 60-80% predicted
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation includes severity and treatment details.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified
J44.9Moderate persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbation
J45.41Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Allergic Asthma to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code J45.909.
Impact
Clinical: Impacts treatment decisions and patient management., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims or reduced reimbursement.
Mitigation Strategy
Train staff on importance of documenting severity., Use templates that prompt for severity details.
Impact
Reimbursement: May lead to reduced reimbursement due to lack of specificity., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases the accuracy of clinical data.
Mitigation Strategy
Always use the most specific code available based on documented severity.
Impact
Inadequate documentation of asthma severity can lead to audit findings.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement documentation checks to ensure severity is always recorded.
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 Allergic Asthma, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Allergic Asthma
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Allergic Asthma. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Allergy Clinic Visit
Specialty: Allergy and ImmunologyRequired Elements
- History of Present Illness
- Physical Examination
- Spirometry Results
- Allergy Testing Results
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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