ICD-10 Guide

Bronchiectasis

ICD-10 Coding for Bronchiectasis(J47.0, J47.1, J47.9, Q33.4)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPulmonology

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Bronchiectasis?

Essential facts and insights about Bronchiectasis

Key Clinical Considerations:

Chronic cough with sputum production
Recurrent respiratory infections
Wheezing and shortness of breath
Key diagnostic tests: High-resolution CT scan showing bronchial dilation
Physical exam findings: Crackles or wheezes on auscultation, clubbing of fingers

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Required documentation elements: Patient history, symptom duration, diagnostic imaging results
Specific coding terminology: Bronchiectasis type (cystic, cylindrical, varicose)
Documentation examples: 'Patient presents with chronic productive cough and recurrent infections, CT shows bronchiectasis.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Usage guidelines: Use specific codes for type of bronchiectasis.
Common errors: Misclassifying bronchiectasis as asthma or COPD.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Excluded conditions: Asthma, COPD, and other obstructive lung diseases.
Alternative codes: Use J44 for COPD-related conditions.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Pulmonology

Specialty Applications

Patient populations: Adults and children with chronic respiratory issues.
Clinical settings: Pulmonology clinics, hospitals, and outpatient settings.

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

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

Documentation requirements?

Document chronic symptoms, diagnostic imaging, and treatment plans.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect severity and type of bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Bronchiectasis

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?