Skip to main content
Shop Plans Learn more about our coverage options including health, Medicare, dental and vision options for you, your family or your employees. Get Started Individual & Family Medicare Employer Vision Dental International Travel Find Care FAQ Blog Members Stay on top of your health care with helpful member resources. Members Home Medicare Health Dental Vision Find Care Member Knowledge Center Member Forms Medicare Forms Library Make a Payment Federal Employees Student Blue Healthy Blue Providers Access tools, policies and the latest information to help you care for our members. Providers Home Network Participation Networks & Programs Claims, Appeals & Inquiries Prior Authorization Services & CPT codes Prescription Drug Search Policies, Guidelines & Codes Provider News Provider FAQ Contact Us Employers Learn about our coverage options for small and large employers, and access tools and resources for your group. Employers Home Shop Employer Plans Employer Portal Support Member Forms & Resources Find Care Blog Agents Access the tools you need: rate quotes, applications, forms, the latest industry news, marketing materials and more. Agents Home Agent Services Check Eligibility Find Care Member Forms & Resources Medicare Forms Library
Contact Us
Log In
I am ... Please select A member A provider An employer An agent
Log in to Agent Services
Log in to Employer Services Register for Employer Services I'm registered but need portal access
Username Forgot username? Continue to Log In Register for Blue Connect Need help? Learn how to log in.
Log in to Blue e Register for Blue e Log in to Dental Blue
Back
Avoidance of Antibiotic Treatment for Acute Bronchitis / Bronchiolitis (AAB) October 28, 2022 Claims & Coding Medical Policy & Clinical Guidelines Federal Employee Program

Overprescribing antibiotics is a major health concern in the U.S.  It has been directly linked to the prevalence of antibiotic resistance, with 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections and 35,000 deaths occurring annually.1

Acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis almost always gets better on its own; therefore, patients without other health problems should not usually be prescribed an antibiotic.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to joining you in ensuring the appropriate use of antibiotics for patients with acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis to help them avoid harmful side effects and possible resistance to antibiotics over time.

Key Points 

  • Based on Blue Cross NC data, a high percentage of our members with a diagnosis of bronchitis/bronchiolitis are being prescribed antibiotics within three days of diagnosis, which is outside of HEDIS guidelines
  • These guidelines apply to Fully Insured, Administrative Services Only (ASO), State Health Plan, Inter-Plan Program Host (IPP Host) and FEP members

HEDIS Quality Measure for AAB 

Rather than ordering antibiotics within three days of diagnosis, follow the guidelines outlined in the AAB HEDIS chart below. If patients meet any of the exclusion criteria listed in the chart below, please include applicable codes when submitting claims so that patients who are medically inappropriate are correctly excluded from this measure.  

Additionally, you can also refer to the Choosing Wisely respiratory illnesses and antibiotic use report from the Infectious Disease Society of America as an educational resource to share with patients.

HEDIS Quality Measure
AAB Administrative measure

  • The percentage of episodes for patients ages 3 months and older with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis / bronchiolitis that did NOT result in an antibiotic dispensing event.
  • The Intake Period captures eligible episodes of treatment.
  • The intake period begins on July 1 of the year prior to the measurement year and ends on June 30 of the measurement year.

Clinical Goal

  • Diagnosis of acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis in patients ages 3 months or older will NOT result in an antibiotic dispensing event on or within 3 days of the Episode Date.
  • Episode Date – date of service for any outpatient, telephone, observation or ED visit, e-visit or virtual check-in with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis.

Criteria to Meet the Goal

Claims: 

When submitting claims for diagnosis bronchitis or bronchiolitis, if antibiotics were also ordered, be sure to submit any applicable claims which meet exclusion criteria for this measure.

Exclusions – if any of the below scenarios are applicable to your patient, please include the appropriate code(s) when submitting claims:

1. Visit that resulted in inpatient admission

2. Episode dates when patients had a claim/encounter with any diagnosis for a comorbid condition during the 12 months prior to the episode date.  A code from any of the following condition categories meet criteria for a comorbid condition history

a. HIV
b. HIV Type 2
c. Malignant Neoplasms
d. Other Malignant Neoplasm of Skin
e. Emphysema
f. COPD
g. Comorbid Conditions
h. Disorders of the Immune System

3. Episode Dates where patient had a claim/encounter with a competing diagnosis on or 3 days after the Episode Date.  A code from either of the following condition categories meet criteria for a competing diagnosis

a. Pharyngitis
b. Competing Diagnosis

 

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  2019. Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest-threats.html

If you have questions, please contact Sharon Gee Brown.