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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesMultifocal Pneumonia

Multifocal Pneumonia

ICD-10 Coding for Multifocal Pneumonia(J18.8)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Multifocal Pneumonia?
Essential facts and insights about Multifocal Pneumonia

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Cough with sputum production
  • Fever and chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Wheezing
  • Key diagnostic tests: Chest X-ray showing multiple infiltrates, CT scan for detailed imaging
  • Physical exam findings: Diminished breath sounds, crackles on auscultation, increased respiratory rate

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Required documentation elements: Patient history, physical exam findings, diagnostic test results, treatment plan
  • Specific coding terminology: Multifocal pneumonia, bilateral pneumonia, lobar pneumonia
  • Documentation examples: 'Patient presents with cough, fever, and chest X-ray showing multifocal infiltrates consistent with pneumonia.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Usage guidelines: Use specific codes for multifocal pneumonia to avoid denials.
  • Common errors: Misclassifying pneumonia type or failing to document severity.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excluded conditions: Tuberculosis, fungal pneumonia, viral pneumonia.
  • Alternative codes: Consider J18.1 for lobar pneumonia if applicable.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
J18.9
Pneumonia, unspecified
J18.0
Lobar pneumonia, unspecified
J20.9
Acute bronchitis, unspecified
Ancillary Codes
R91.8
J96.0
Differential Codes
J18.9
J18.9
if the documentation does not specify 'multifocal' or any specific pathogen.

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Pulmonology

Specialty Applications

  • Patient populations: Adults and children with respiratory symptoms.
  • Clinical settings: Emergency departments, outpatient clinics, inpatient hospital 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?

Include patient history, symptoms, diagnostic imaging results, and treatment plan.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the severity and type of pneumonia for appropriate reimbursement.