B38.1

Billable

Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis

HCC Category Mapping

V24HCC 115 — Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Empyema, Lung Abscess

0.339

ESRDHCC 115 — Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Empyema, Lung Abscess

0.000

What This Code Means

A long-lasting fungal lung infection caused by Coccidioides that persists over time.

Coding Tips

•Verify the duration and chronicity of symptoms in the medical record before assigning this code
•Note any complications such as cavitation or fibrosis that may affect treatment decisions

Clinical Significance

Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis represents a persistent fungal lung infection lasting months to years, often mimicking tuberculosis or lung malignancy on imaging. This code captures the ongoing resource utilization and monitoring needs of these patients, including long-term antifungal therapy and serial imaging surveillance.

Documentation Requirements

✓Duration of illness documented as chronic (persisting beyond 6 weeks)
✓Serial imaging showing progressive or stable cavitary disease, fibrosis, or nodules
✓Positive coccidioidomycosis serology with complement fixation titers
✓Documentation of ongoing antifungal treatment or monitoring plan
✓Clinical differentiation from tuberculosis or malignancy (biopsy or culture results)

Commonly Confused Codes

B38.0 (Acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis) - acute form is for initial presentation with rapid symptom onset; chronic implies prolonged course B38.2 (Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, unspecified) - should not be used when chronicity is documented A15.0 (Tuberculosis of lung) - can mimic chronic cocci on imaging; microbiologic confirmation differentiates them

Code Hierarchy

└B38Coccidioidomycosis └B38.1Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis

└B38.1Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis