J84.117

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia is a rare lung disease where the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed and filled with inflammatory cells, causing breathing difficulty and scarring. It is often associated with smoking and can progress to permanent lung damage if untreated.

Coding Tips

• •This code requires documentation of the specific type of interstitial pneumonia; verify the pathology report or clinical documentation confirms 'desquamative' type rather than other forms like usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)
• •Consider coding associated conditions such as smoking history (Z87.891) and any resulting respiratory symptoms or complications, as DIP often requires multifaceted documentation for complete clinical picture

Clinical Significance

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia is a rare, smoking-related interstitial lung disease characterized by extensive macrophage accumulation in the alveoli. While it has a better prognosis than IPF, it carries significant morbidity requiring smoking cessation, immunosuppressive therapy, and long-term monitoring. Accurate capture ensures appropriate risk adjustment for these complex respiratory patients.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Lung biopsy confirming desquamative interstitial pneumonia pattern (diffuse macrophage filling of alveolar spaces)
• ✓Documented smoking history or other relevant exposure history
• ✓High-resolution computed tomography findings (diffuse ground-glass opacities predominantly in lower lobes)
• ✓Pulmonary function test results showing restrictive defect with reduced diffusion capacity
• ✓Treatment plan including smoking cessation and corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy

Commonly Confused Codes