J60
BillableCoalworker's pneumoconiosis
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 280 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
0.334V24HCC 112 — Fibrosis of Lung and Other Chronic Lung Disorders
0.268ESRDHCC 112 — Fibrosis of Lung and Other Chronic Lung Disorders
0.000What This Code Means
A lung disease caused by inhaling coal dust over many years, leading to scarring and reduced lung function.
Coding Tips
- •Requires occupational history documentation indicating coal mining exposure
- •Differentiate from other pneumoconiosis codes based on specific dust exposure type
Clinical Significance
Coalworker's pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) is an occupational lung disease caused by chronic inhalation of coal dust, leading to coal macule formation and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. It is an irreversible condition with significant implications for disability determination, workers' compensation, and long-term respiratory care planning.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documented history of coal dust exposure with duration and intensity
- ✓Chest imaging showing characteristic findings: small rounded opacities, progressive massive fibrosis
- ✓Pulmonary function testing demonstrating restrictive and/or obstructive pattern
- ✓Provider diagnosis of coalworker's pneumoconiosis or black lung disease
- ✓Current symptom assessment: dyspnea, cough, exercise limitation
- ✓Occupational history detailing coal mining exposure
- ✓Any associated complications: progressive massive fibrosis, tuberculosis, cor pulmonale
Commonly Confused Codes
J61 — Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos: different causative agent (asbestos vs. coal dust)J62.8 — Pneumoconiosis due to other dust containing silica: silicosis from silica dust, not coal dust specificallyJ64 — Unspecified pneumoconiosis: less specific; use J60 when coal dust exposure is documentedJ84.10 — Pulmonary fibrosis, unspecified: does not capture the occupational etiology
Code Hierarchy
└J60Coalworker's pneumoconiosis
└J60Coalworker's pneumoconiosis