ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAsthma Mild Intermittent

Asthma Mild Intermittent

ICD-10 Coding for Asthma Mild Intermittent(J45.20, J45.21, J45.22)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPulmonology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Asthma Mild Intermittent?
Essential facts and insights about Asthma Mild Intermittent

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or early morning.
  • Pulmonary function tests showing a FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second) of 80% or more of predicted values, with variability in airflow obstruction.
  • Physical examination may reveal wheezing during auscultation, especially during exacerbations.
  • No significant findings on chest X-ray or CT scan unless other conditions are suspected.
  • Severity is classified as mild intermittent if symptoms occur less than twice a week and nighttime symptoms occur less than twice a month.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Document the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms, including any triggers and response to treatment.
  • Use specific terminology such as 'mild intermittent asthma' to ensure clarity in diagnosis.
  • Examples include: 'Patient reports wheezing occurring once a week' or 'No nighttime symptoms reported'.
  • Medical necessity must be established through documentation of symptoms and treatment plans.
  • Quality measures may include documentation of asthma action plans and follow-up care.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use J45.20 for mild intermittent asthma without exacerbation and J45.21 for mild intermittent asthma with exacerbation.
  • Do not use this code for moderate or severe asthma, which have different coding requirements.
  • Compare with J45.30 (mild persistent asthma) and J45.40 (moderate persistent asthma) for appropriate coding.
  • Common errors include misclassifying the severity of asthma; ensure documentation supports the chosen code.
  • In complex cases, consider the patient's history and response to treatment to select the most accurate code.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes moderate persistent asthma (J45.30) and severe asthma (J45.40).
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include J45.909 for unspecified asthma.
  • Conditions are excluded based on severity and frequency of symptoms, which do not meet the criteria for mild intermittent.
  • Common mistakes include using mild intermittent codes for patients with more frequent symptoms.
  • Related but distinct conditions include exercise-induced bronchospasm and allergic asthma.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
J45.20
Mild intermittent asthma, uncomplicated
J45.21
Mild intermittent asthma with exacerbation
Ancillary Codes
Z77.22
Z72.0
Differential Codes
J45.3x
J45.22
J45.22
if the patient does not respond to initial bronchodilator therapy.
J45.21
J45.21
if the patient responds to initial treatment.

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Pulmonology

Specialty Applications

  • Applies to patients with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma classified as mild intermittent.
  • Patient populations include children and adults, particularly those with a history of allergies.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient clinics, emergency departments, and primary care practices.
  • Specialty-specific applications are relevant in pulmonology and allergy/immunology.
  • Treatment contexts include management of acute exacerbations and routine follow-up care.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with mild intermittent asthma based on recurrent wheezing episodes.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with mild intermittent asthma including symptoms occurring less than twice a week.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for mild intermittent asthma met as evidenced by FEV1 > 80% and infrequent symptoms.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for mild intermittent asthma with bronchodilator therapy as needed.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for mild intermittent asthma including monitoring of symptoms and medication adherence.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation should include symptom frequency, severity, and response to treatment.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Mild intermittent asthma is characterized by infrequent symptoms, unlike persistent forms.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis aligns with the services provided to optimize reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated procedures include spirometry and peak flow monitoring.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include documentation of asthma action plans and follow-up visits.