6. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Category Code 496. This code is
to be used only when COPD is reported without mention of a more specific chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD with other diagnoses (such as emphysema,
chronic bronchitis, allergic alveolitis, asthma, and bronchiectasis) is classified to the
specific condition rather than category 496.
APPLICATION
1. Diagnostic statement that requires a ssigning codes from chapter 16.
EXAMPLE:
DIAGNOSIS: Dysuria, etiology undetermined
7881
2. COPD is coded to category 496. This category will be used only when there is no
mention of a specific chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Also, assign the
symptom(s) code as additional codes.
EXAMPLE:
DIAGNOSIS: Pneumothorax, spontaneous, left. Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
5128 496
DIAGNOSIS: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Emphysema, Compensatory`
5182
PRINCIPLE VII. COMPLICATIONS OF CARE
1. Surgical and Postoperative Complications.
a. Accurate coding of complications as a result of surgical procedures is very
important. In some hospitals, the Quality Assurance personnel rely on correct coding of
complications to alert them of a potential problem. To code a surgical complication
proceed as follows in the stated order until the appropriate code is located.
(1) Look up an entry for the complication (such as infection) and the indented
modifier "postoperative."
(2) Look up "Complication" and an indented modified to describe the
complication.
(3) Look up "Complication, surgical procedure" and identify the body system to
which the complication is assigned.
MD0753
A-20