Pneumonia in aspergillosis

This code identifies pneumonia that has developed as a complication or manifestation of an underlying aspergillosis infection. Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus species, which can affect the lungs and lead to inflammatory responses characteristic of pneumonia.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of pneumonia directly attributed to or occurring in the context of aspergillosis. This is often seen in immunocompromised patients or those with pre-existing lung conditions. Supporting documentation should specify both the pneumonia and the aspergillosis.

• Always sequence the aspergillosis code (e.g., 117.3) as the primary diagnosis if it is the underlying cause of the pneumonia.
• Do not use this code for pneumonia due to other fungal infections; ensure Aspergillus is specified.
• Verify physician documentation explicitly links the pneumonia to aspergillosis, rather than just co-occurrence.