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Compare/J43 vs J44

J43 vs J44

J43 (Emphysema) compared with J44 (Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).

Can these codes be reported together?

Yes, when both are documented. J43 carries an Excludes2 note covering J44: “emphysema with chronic (obstructive) bronchitis (J44.-)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Yes, when both are documented. J43 carries an Excludes2 note covering J44: “emphysematous (obstructive) bronchitis (J44.-)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Yes, when both are documented. J44 carries an Excludes2 note covering J43: “emphysema without chronic bronchitis (J43.-)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Side by side

J43EmphysemaJ44Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: J43.0, J43.1, J43.2, J43.8, J43.9

Non-billable header

Report instead: J44.0, J44.1, J44.81, J44.89, J44.9

ClassificationJ00-J99 — Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99)J00-J99 — Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99)
DefinitionEmphysema is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (J43).Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (J44).
Includes
asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis
chronic bronchitis with airway obstruction
chronic bronchitis with emphysema

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources