J44.1 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation

Coding notes

From the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) tabular list. Notes on a parent code or category apply here too.

Also covers

• Decompensated COPD
• Decompensated COPD with (acute) exacerbation

Includes

• asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis
• chronic bronchitis with airway obstruction
• chronic bronchitis with emphysema
• chronic emphysematous bronchitis
• chronic obstructive asthma
• chronic obstructive bronchitis
• chronic obstructive tracheobronchitis

Excludes1

Not coded together with this code. The exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

• bronchitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.0)

Excludes2

Not part of this code, but both can be coded when both are documented.

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] with acute bronchitis (J44.0)
• lung diseases due to external agents (J60-J70)
• bronchiectasis (J47.-)
• chronic bronchitis NOS (J42)
• chronic simple and mucopurulent bronchitis (J41.-)
• chronic tracheitis (J42)
• chronic tracheobronchitis (J42)
• emphysema without chronic bronchitis (J43.-)
• cystic fibrosis (E84.-)

Code also

A second code may be needed. Sequencing depends on the encounter.

• type of asthma, if applicable (J45.-)