Pneumonitis – Diagnosis and Documentation

1. Pneumonitis – Diagnosis and Documentation 918-221-7769

2. Pneumonitis is a general term that refers to the inflammation of lung tissue. This condition occurs when an irritating substance is introduced into the lungs causing the tiny air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and cause breathing difficulty. For accurate clinical documentation of this lung condition, physicians can benefit from the services of medical billing outsourcing companies.

3. Causes of pneumonitis may include • Radiation treatment • Drugs and antibiotics • Molds and bacteria • Exposure to birds, bird feathers, or excrement

4. Common signs and symptoms include – • Fatigue • Loss of appetite • Unintentional weight loss • A burning sensation in the chest • Fever • Tiredness The initial symptoms may last for as little as 12 hours or even several days in some individuals.

5. Diagnosis Accurate diagnosis of pneumonitis is difficult, as the symptoms are similar to that of other lung disorders. One or more of the following tests may be conducted to distinguish these disorders - • Blood tests to evaluate the levels of white blood cells in the body • Diagnostic imaging tests such as Chest X-ray and Computerized tomography • (CT) to check for fluid or inflammation in the lungs • Pulmonary function tests such as Spirometry, Bronchoscopy, Surgical lung • biopsies and Oximetry

6. ICD-10 Codes to Document Pneumonitis J67 - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to organic dust • J67.0 - Farmer's lung • J67.1 - Bagassosis • J67.2 - Bird fancier's lung • J67.3 - Suberosis • J67.4 - Maltworker's lung • J67.5 - Mushroom-worker's lung • J67.6 - Maple-bark-stripper's lung • J67.7 - Air conditioner and humidifier lung • J67.8 - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to other organic dusts • J67.9 - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to unspecified organic dust

7. J68 - Respiratory conditions due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors • J68.0 - Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors • J68.1 - Pulmonary edema due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors • J68.2 - Upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes and • vapors, not elsewhere classified • J68.3 - Other acute and sub acute respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, • fumes and vapors • J68.4 - Chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors • J68.8 - Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors • J68.9 - Unspecified respiratory condition due to chemicals, gases, fumes and • vapors

8. J69 - Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids • J69.0 - Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit • J69.1 - Pneumonitis due to inhalation of oils and essences • J69.8 - Pneumonitis due to inhalation of other solids and liquids

9. Prevention of pneumonitis may involve making certain lifestyle changes to protect health such as avoiding chemical irritants and wearing a face mask when dealing with birds, bacteria, or mold of any kind as much as possible. Pulmonologists can consider partnering with a medical billing and coding service provider to manage their pulmonary medical billing and coding tasks.

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