Billable Medical Code for Obstructive Chronic Bronchitis With (Acute) Exacerbation
Diagnosis Code for Reimbursement Claim: ICD-9-CM 491.21
Code will be replaced by October 2015 and relabeled as ICD-10-CM 491.21.
The Short Description Is: Obs chr bronc w(ac) exac.
Known As
COPD with acute exacerbation is also known as acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive airways disease, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis, acute exacerbation of COPD, chronic obstructive bronchitis with exacerbation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease acute flare-up, and COPD W acute exacerbation. This excludes chronic obstructive asthma with acute exacerbation. This applies to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], and decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] with exacerbation.
COPD With Acute Exacerbation Definition and Symptoms
COPD with acute exacerbation is an event in the course of the disease that causes a change in a persons dyspnea, cough, or sputum that is abnormal. Symptoms to watch for are noisy breathing, shortness of breath, a severe cough, changed in skin or nail color, and elevated anxiety.