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J45.40
ICD-10-CM
Moderate Persistent Asthma

Learn about moderate persistent asthma diagnosis, clinical documentation, and medical coding. Find information on symptoms, treatment, and management of moderate persistent asthma. Explore resources for healthcare professionals, including ICD-10 codes, SNOMED CT codes, and best practices for accurate clinical documentation. Understand the criteria for diagnosing moderate persistent asthma and improve your coding and documentation practices. This resource offers valuable information for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers involved in asthma care.

Also known as

Chronic Asthma
Asthma with Moderate Persistence
asthma moderate persistent

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Asthma with daily symptoms requiring daily controller medication.
  • Clinical Signs : Wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, reduced peak flow.
  • Common Settings : Primary care, pulmonology, urgent care, emergency room.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC J45.40 Coding
J45.41

Moderate persistent asthma

Asthma with moderate symptoms and limitations.

J45.42

Moderate persistent asthma w/ (acute) exacerbation

Moderate persistent asthma with a sudden worsening of symptoms.

J45.51

Severe persistent asthma

Asthma with severe symptoms and significant limitations.

J45.52

Severe persistent asthma w/ (acute) exacerbation

Severe persistent asthma with a sudden worsening of symptoms.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is asthma confirmed?

  • Yes

    Asthma severity: Moderate Persistent?

  • No

    Do not code as asthma. Investigate alternative diagnoses.

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Moderate persistent asthma
Exercise-induced bronchospasm
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Asthma Diagnosis: ICD-10-CM J45.41
  • Moderate persistent asthma symptoms documented
  • Impaired lung function: FEV1/FVC ratio recorded
  • Daily medication use: Specific asthma controller listed
  • Frequency of exacerbations requiring oral steroids noted

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Inconsistent Severity Documentation

    Insufficient or conflicting documentation of symptom frequency, nighttime awakenings, FEV1 values, and medication use can lead to inaccurate coding of asthma severity.

  • Status Asthmaticus Miscoding

    Acute exacerbations requiring hospitalization may be miscoded as moderate persistent asthma instead of status asthmaticus if documentation lacks clarity.

  • Comorbidity Overcoding

    Overcoding comorbidities like allergic rhinitis or GERD without clear documentation of their impact on asthma management can lead to inflated risk scores.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document asthma severity per ICD-10-CM J45.41 for accurate coding.
  • CDI: Query physician for symptom frequency, medication use, FEV1 values.
  • Follow GOLD guidelines for moderate persistent asthma management.
  • Ensure patient education on inhaler use, action plan, trigger avoidance.
  • Track medication adherence for compliance and improved outcomes.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Asthma symptoms >2 days/week, but not daily
  • Night awakenings 3-4x/month
  • FEV1 60-80% predicted
  • FEV1/FVC reduced
  • Daily use of short-acting beta-agonist

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Moderate Persistent Asthma: ICD-10 J45.41, accurate coding maximizes reimbursement.
  • Quality metrics: Asthma Control Test (ACT), proper documentation impacts hospital reports.
  • Impact: Higher reimbursement rates, accurate severity reflection.
  • Impact: Improved patient outcomes tracking, optimized resource allocation.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Document symptom frequency
  • Code J45.41 for moderate persistent
  • Confirm impairment level
  • Note medication use
  • Check FEV1/FVC ratio

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with moderate persistent asthma, characterized by daily symptoms requiring albuterol use, nighttime awakenings more than once per week but not nightly, and some limitation in normal activity.  Pulmonary function testing reveals FEV1 between 60% and 80% predicted, with FEV1FVC ratio reduced below the lower limit of normal.  Patient reports symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough.  Triggers identified include allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen, as well as exercise and respiratory infections.  Current medications include a daily low-dose inhaled corticosteroid.  Assessment includes review of symptom frequency and severity, lung function, and response to current therapy.  Diagnosis of moderate persistent asthma confirmed based on National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines.  Plan includes stepping up therapy to a medium-dose inhaled corticosteroid or adding a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) to the current inhaled corticosteroid.  Patient education provided on asthma management, including proper inhaler technique, medication adherence, and trigger avoidance.  Follow-up scheduled in 4-6 weeks to assess response to treatment and adjust management as needed.  ICD-10 code J45.41, moderate persistent asthma, assigned.  Medical billing codes for evaluation and management, pulmonary function testing, and medications documented.