B38.0
BillableAcute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis
HCC Category Mapping
V24HCC 115 — Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Empyema, Lung Abscess
0.339ESRDHCC 115 — Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Empyema, Lung Abscess
0.000What This Code Means
A fungal lung infection caused by Coccidioides that develops suddenly with acute symptoms.
Coding Tips
- •Distinguish between acute and chronic presentations as they have different codes
- •Document whether the patient has respiratory symptoms like cough, fever, or chest pain
Clinical Significance
Acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) is an endemic mycosis prevalent in the southwestern United States and Central America. It represents an active, acute fungal pneumonia that requires distinct coding from chronic forms, as the clinical course, treatment intensity, and resource utilization differ significantly.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Positive coccidioidomycosis serology (IgM or IgG antibodies) or culture confirmation
- ✓Chest imaging findings (infiltrates, nodules, pleural effusion)
- ✓Acute onset of symptoms: fever, cough, chest pain, fatigue with defined timeline
- ✓Geographic exposure history to endemic areas (Southwest US, Mexico, Central/South America)
- ✓Documentation that this is a new/acute infection, not chronic or reactivation
Commonly Confused Codes
B38.1 (Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis) - use when symptoms persist beyond 6 weeks or there is evidence of cavitation/fibrosis; acute is for initial presentationB38.2 (Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, unspecified) - use only when acute vs chronic cannot be determined; always query for specificityB38.9 (Coccidioidomycosis, unspecified) - do not use when pulmonary involvement is clearly documented
Code Hierarchy
└B38Coccidioidomycosis└B38.0Acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis
└B38.0Acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis