J41.1
BillableMucopurulent chronic bronchitis
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 280 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
0.334V24HCC 111 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
0.334ESRDHCC 111 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
0.000RxHCCHCC 229 — COPD and Chronic Bronchitis
0.000What This Code Means
A long-term inflammation of the airways with production of thick, pus-containing mucus, indicating a more severe form of chronic bronchitis.
Coding Tips
- •Ensure documentation specifically mentions mucopurulent (mucus and pus) sputum production to differentiate from simple chronic bronchitis
- •This type is associated with greater airway damage and may require more aggressive treatment
Clinical Significance
Mucopurulent chronic bronchitis indicates persistent bronchial inflammation with chronic production of purulent (yellow-green) sputum, suggesting ongoing bacterial colonization or infection. This represents a more severe form of chronic bronchitis than simple mucoid type and carries the same significant risk adjustment weight as other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of chronic productive cough with purulent (mucopurulent) sputum
- ✓Duration criteria: symptoms for at least 3 months per year for at least 2 consecutive years
- ✓Description of sputum character: yellow, green, or purulent
- ✓Current disease status and any acute exacerbations
- ✓Treatment plan including antibiotics for purulent exacerbations, bronchodilators, smoking cessation
- ✓Pulmonary function tests if available
Commonly Confused Codes
J41.0 — Simple chronic bronchitis: use when sputum is mucoid (clear/white), not purulentJ41.8 — Mixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis: use when both types are documentedJ44.1 — COPD with acute exacerbation: use when there is an acute flare of COPD symptomsJ42 — Unspecified chronic bronchitis: less specific; always prefer J41.1 when purulent nature is documented
Code Hierarchy
└J41Simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis└J41.1Mucopurulent chronic bronchitis
└J41.1Mucopurulent chronic bronchitis