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We have also seen mucus plugs removed during bronchoscopy. The MD performs bronchial washings then removes a large amount of tenacious and thick mucoid casts via bronchoscopy. Is this coded drainage, extirpation or excision? What body part is used? This is a great question. I have previously sent out a HIA Coding Tip on this very subject.
The body part value is bronchus, as stated in the coding tip. The specific bronchus lobe that the mucoid casts or mucus plugs are removed from is coded. Since there is no selection in ICD-10-PCS for “bilateral bronchus,” the coder must code the specific bronchus lobe in which mucus plugs or mucoid casts are removed.
BAL is a once per day code, no matter how many times it is done. The brushings can be billed once per lobe, no matter how many passes in each lobe. If the physician documents that he removed a mucus plug WITH FORCEPS and also did suctioning, is that all inclusive to the 31645 or is there another code for the forcep removal of the plug?
The Refresh With YES: PCS Bronchoscopy Coding Learning Path teaches learners how to apply ICD-10-PCS coding for bronchoscopy techniques. Learners will discuss the upper and lower respiratory system, as well as the codes and guidelines for common root operations applicable to bronchoscopies, including extraction, excision, drainage, and extirpation.
Mucus plugging is classified as a foreign body as it is foreign to the respiratory tract. Please note that in Sixth edition the external cause code for mucus plugging would be W80. 8 Other specified object.
Example: If a patient has bronchoscopy with BAL for biopsy from the right middle lobe the appropriate PCS code is 0B9D8ZX—Drainage of right middle lung lobe, via natural or artificial opening endoscopic, diagnostic, is appropriate.
31624CPT guidance indicates it is acceptable to report CPT code 31624, Bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage, with a bilateral modifier when this procedure is performed bilaterally.
use of Mucomyst and by suctioning during bronchoscopy. As stated in the coding tip above, the root operation is “Extirpation” which is “taking or cutting out solid matter from a body part.” These mucus plugs or mucoid/bronchial casts are considered solid matter.
The code for diagnostic bronchoscopy is 31622.
CPT 31628 is used for bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, with transbronchial lung biopsy(s), single lobe.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a procedure that is sometimes done during a bronchoscopy. It is also called bronchoalveolar washing. BAL is used to collect a sample from the lungs for testing. During the procedure, a saline solution is put through the bronchoscope to wash the airways and capture a fluid sample.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial washing (BW) are two major methods used to obtain high-quality respiratory specimens from patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) but a sputum-scarce or smear-negative status.
31622CPT® Code 31622 in section: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed.
Common reasons for needing bronchoscopy are a persistent cough, infection or something unusual seen on a chest X-ray or other test. Bronchoscopy can also be used to obtain samples of mucus or tissue, to remove foreign bodies or other blockages from the airways or lungs, or to provide treatment for lung problems.
Treatment of severe mucus plugging by direct instillation of rhDNase has been a safe and efficacious procedure for mobilising adherent mucus plugs and for facilitating bronchoscopic extraction.
DrainageBronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): Bronchoalveolar lavage is also called a liquid biopsy and is a diagnostic procedure performed via a bronchoscope and it involves washing out tissue of the lung and airways to obtain a small sampling of tissue. BAL is coded to root operation “Drainage” because it involves removing fluid.
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that lets doctors look at your lungs and air passages. It's usually performed by a doctor who specializes in lung disorders (a pulmonologist). During bronchoscopy, a thin tube (bronchoscope) is passed through your nose or mouth, down your throat and into your lungs.
DrainageBronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): Bronchoalveolar lavage is also called a liquid biopsy and is a diagnostic procedure performed via a bronchoscope and it involves washing out tissue of the lung and airways to obtain a small sampling of tissue. BAL is coded to root operation “Drainage” because it involves removing fluid.
(bron-KOS-koh-pee) A procedure that uses a bronchoscope to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a procedure that is sometimes done during a bronchoscopy. It is also called bronchoalveolar washing. BAL is used to collect a sample from the lungs for testing. During the procedure, a saline solution is put through the bronchoscope to wash the airways and capture a fluid sample.
Bronchoscopy with Suctioning for Removal of Retained Secretions
Assign the following ICD-10-PCS code: 0B9M8ZZ Drainage of bilateral lungs, via natural or artificial opening endoscopic, for the suctioning of the lower lobes of the lung This procedure meets the definition of the root operation "Drainage"--taking or letting out fluids and/or gases from a body part.
Answer: Intussusception is the prolapse of one part of the intestine into the lumen of an immediately adjacent part of the intestine, causing intestinal obstruction. Ileocolic intussusception is a common problem in pediatric cases.
A child with Chiari malformation and syrinx was admitted for Chiari decompression. During surgery, a suboccipital craniectomy was extended down to the foramen magnum. C1 laminectomy was performed and the dura was opened. Microdissection of adhesions at the cerebellar tonsils allowed decompression of the brainstem and cervicomedullary junction. After confirming there was no obstruction over the fourth ventricle outflow, an AlloDerm dural graft was placed and the site was closed. What are the ICD-10-PCS codes for this procedure?
Assign codes T81.83X- , Persistent postoperative fistula, and K63.2, Fistula of intestine, for the enterocutaneous postsurgical fistula. Both codes are needed to show the postoperative complication and the specific site of the fistula. Assign also code T81.32X-, Disruption of internal operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, for the wound dehiscence. The assignment of the 7th character "A" depends on whether active treatment is still being provided. The postoperative fistula is considered "persistent," because it is a continuing problem requiring care.
Assign the following ICD-10-PCS code: 0BC58ZZ Extir pation of matter from right middle lobe bronchus, via natural or artificial opening endoscopic, for suctioning of the mucus plug The suctioning (extirpation) is the definitive procedure, and it is not required to code separately the irrigation (washing).
ICD-10-PCS Table 041 does not have a single device value to capture both SVG and synthetic graft/ PTFE; therefore, two codes from table 041 are necessary to completely describe the procedure, in addition to the code for harvesting the saphenous vein graft. Assign the following codes: 041K09N Bypass right femoral artery to posterior tibial artery with autologous venous tissue, open approach, for the femoral-tibial artery bypass using saphenous vein graft (SVG) 041K0JN Bypass right femoral artery to posterior tibial artery with synthetic substitute, open approach, for the femoral-tibial artery bypass using PTFE/synthetic graft 06BP0ZZ Excision of right greater saphenous vein, open approach, for the harvesting of saphenous vein graft