Emphysema ICD-10-CM codes

J43.9 is emphysema unspecified and is the most frequently reported code. The specific types are J43.0 unilateral emphysema (MacLeod syndrome), J43.1 panlobular emphysema, J43.2 centrilobular emphysema, and J43.8 other emphysema. Emphysema with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is coded with E88.01 in addition.

Emphysema is a form of COPD, and J44 includes chronic bronchitis with emphysema while J43 includes emphysema without chronic bronchitis. When the provider documents both COPD and emphysema without chronic bronchitis, Coding Clinic directs that only J43.9 be assigned because it is the more specific code. When chronic bronchitis is documented with the emphysema, the condition is classified to J44.-.

For a patient with emphysema who presents with an acute exacerbation, report J44.1 to capture the exacerbation along with the J43 code. Emphysema with an acute lower respiratory infection is J44.0 plus the infection code. Add tobacco use or history (F17.21-, Z87.891, or Z77.22) as the category instructions require.