ICD-10 Codes to Report Dyspnea or Shortness of Breath

1. ICD-10 Codes to Report Dyspnea or Shortness of Breath Diagnosis or treatment procedures performed to treat shortness of breath or dyspnea can be reported in claims using specific ICD-10 codes. Outsource Strategies International 8596 E. 101st Street, Suite H Tulsa, OK 74133

2. Shortness of breath or dyspnea is a common symptom for many health issues reported in general practice and in hospital emergency rooms. Also referred to as “air hunger”, this symptom is sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat, as there are many different causes. While acute dyspnea could be the result of conditions such as asthma, anxiety, any block in breathing passageways, allergy or others, chronic dyspnea can be caused by COPD, heart problems, obesity, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis or other lung conditions. The main symptoms include shortness of breath, feeling suffocated, labored breathing, tightness in the chest, rapid, shallow breathing, heart palpitations, wheezing and coughing. Pulmonologists or other specialists treating dyspnea and its underlying conditions can rely on professional medical coding services to report the condition using correct medical codes. The ICD-10 codes for dyspnea are •R06 Abnormalities of breathing oR06.0 Dyspnea ▪R06.00 Dyspnea unspecified oR06.01 Orthopnea oR06.02 Shortness of breath oR06.03 Acute respiratory distress oR06.09 Other forms of dyspnea Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing is also a possible symptom of COVID-19 and the CDC has reported that 31 to 40 percent of people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 have experienced shortness of breath. Diagnosis for this condition may include a complete physical examination using X-rays and computed tomography (CT) images to evaluate the health of the person’s heart, lungs, and related systems, electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify signs of a heart attack, spirometry tests to measure airflow and the patient’s lung capacity or other tests to check the oxygen level in a patient’s blood. Treatment for dyspnea depends on the cause of the problem and in more severe cases, supplemental oxygen will be required. For dyspnea linked to asthma, medications such as bronchodilators and steroids will be recommended. While COPD or other lung issues need to be treated by a pulmonologist, heart-related disorders are treated by a cardiologist. Opiates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and anti- anxiety drugs are effective medications for shortness of breath. To submit clean claims and to get on-time reimbursement, busy practices can consider partnering with an experienced medical billing company. www.outsourcestrategies.com 918-221-7769