By Debra L. Byble, CPC, CRC
When ICD-10-CM was implemented, it was no longer necessary to code for the difference between extrinsic or intrinsic asthma. Found in section J45 of ICD-10-CM, asthma now requires documentation of mild, medium, and severe asthma. Further documentation is needed to assign the correct code between the differences of intermittent, and persistent. The greater specificity of ICD-10-CM requires another level of detail: uncomplicated, (acute) exacerbation, and status asthmaticus.
Below are some samples of how the codes…