J41.8 ICD-10-CM Code: Mixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis
J41.8 maps to CMS-HCC V28 280 (RAF 0.319). Documentation must support MEAT. MEAT criteria · RAF calculator · HCC coding software
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FY 2026 Apr update / Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) / Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J4A)
J41.8
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceMixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis
A long-term inflammation of the airways that exhibits both simple mucus production and pus-containing mucus at different times or in different areas.
Buddy Insight
Mixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis indicates a patient who experiences periods of both mucoid and purulent sputum production, reflecting variable airway inflammation and intermittent bacterial colonization.
CMS-HCC V28
MappedHCC 280
RAF 0.319
CMS-HCC V24
MappedHCC 111
RAF 0.335
ACA/HHS
N/A—
Not mapped
ESRD/PACE
MappedHCC 111
RAF 0.058
RXHCC
MappedHCC 229
RAF 0.237
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for J41.8 in this effective period.
Excludes 2
Official- chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
- chronic obstructive bronchitis (J44.-)
Related Child Codes
Includes
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for J41.8 in this effective period.
Excludes 1
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for J41.8 in this effective period.
Code First
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for J41.8 in this effective period.
Use Additional
Official- code to identify:
- exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
- exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
- history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
- occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
Code Also
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for J41.8 in this effective period.
Buddy Documentation Tip
MEAT Support
Audit Caution
Common Mistakes
Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →
Is J41.8 an HCC code?
Yes. J41.8 (Mixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis) maps to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model (and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease under V24), with a community non-dual aged RAF of 0.319. It is billable for payment year 2026.
Coder answer: J41.8 is billable and maps to V28 HCC 280, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders. Open it in the Code Book for the tabular path, RAF, and MEAT checklist.
- Code
- J41.8
- Description
- Mixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis
- HCC (V28)
- HCC 280 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders
- RAF
- 0.319
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
HCC Category Mapping
Each model's RAF is its CMS base weight for that model's standard population, so weights are not directly comparable across models: CMS-HCC V28 and V24 use Community, Non-Dual, Aged; ESRD uses the dialysis continuing-enrollee model; RxHCC is the Part D continuing-enrollee, non-low-income, aged weight (a larger scale than CMS-HCC). ACA/HHS has no single weight — it varies by metal level. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member segment, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains in use during the transition and for historical data.
Work J41.8 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT Criteria for J41.8
For J41.8 to count as a valid HCC diagnosis in a given encounter, the provider's documentation must show MEAT: Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat. A diagnosis from a prior year does not carry forward automatically, it has to be re-documented and supported each calendar year.
- MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
- EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
- AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
- TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis
Only one of M/E/A/T is required to support the code, but the documentation must be specific enough to show that the provider actually addressed J41.8 during that encounter, not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.
Coder workflow notes
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What This Code Means
J41.8 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for mixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis. A long-term inflammation of the airways that exhibits both simple mucus production and pus-containing mucus at different times or in different areas. J41.8 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the respiratory system (j00-j99), within the section covering chronic lower respiratory diseases (j40-j4a).
Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, J41.8 maps to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders (HCC 280) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.319. Under the older CMS-HCC V24 model, J41.8 maps to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (HCC 111) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.335. V28 is the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model that reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition.
Use this code when documentation indicates both simple and mucopurulent characteristics are present. Because J41.8 maps to a payment HCC, the provider's documentation must satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's Medicare Advantage risk adjustment score. When documentation is ambiguous, coders should issue a provider query rather than assume the highest-specificity variant.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for J41.8 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Use this code when documentation indicates both simple and mucopurulent characteristics are present
- •Ensure the chronic nature is clearly established in the medical record
Clinical Significance
Mixed simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis indicates a patient who experiences periods of both mucoid and purulent sputum production, reflecting variable airway inflammation and intermittent bacterial colonization. This mixed presentation carries the same risk adjustment significance as other chronic bronchitis subtypes.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of chronic productive cough with both mucoid and purulent sputum at different times
- ✓Duration criteria: at least 3 months per year for 2 consecutive years
- ✓Description of the variable nature of sputum production
- ✓Current disease status and treatment plan
- ✓Smoking history and cessation efforts if applicable
- ✓Pulmonary function testing if available
Commonly Confused Codes
- •J41.0: Simple chronic bronchitis: use when sputum is consistently mucoid only
- •J41.1: Mucopurulent chronic bronchitis: use when sputum is consistently purulent
- •J42: Unspecified chronic bronchitis: less specific than J41.8; use when type is not documented
- •J44.9: COPD, unspecified: use when airflow obstruction is documented alongside chronic bronchitis