Bronchoscopy and Associated Procedures Coding in ICD-10-PCS and CPT Action Plan AHIMA 1 BRONCHOSCOPY AND ASSOCIATED PROCEDURE CODING IN ICD-10-PCS AND CPT
2018/2019 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J98.09. Other diseases of bronchus, not elsewhere classified. 2016 2017 2018 2019 Billable/Specific Code. J98.09 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
In 2016, the AMA deleted the code 31620 for EBUS during bronchoscopic diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. EBUS combines a bronchoscope with ultrasound to visualize the bronchi and adjacent structures.
For ICD-10-PCS this procedure is coded: 0BB48ZX for excision of right upper lobe bronchus via bronchoscopy for diagnostic purposes. (This includes both the endobronchial biopsies and brushings of the RUL) "Brushings" are coded to the root operation "Excision" and "lavage" is coded to the root operation "Drainage."
A bronchoscopy is a procedure to aid in the evaluation and treatment of lung patients. Most often, the physician uses a fiberoptic scope and performs the procedure in the endoscopy suite of the hospital. Other locations include an office setting or perhaps at the patient’s hospital bedside. Completed for a variety of reasons, only 21 CPT® codes ...
The 2007 CPT® codebook lists 31620 (EBUS) as “Endobronchial ultrasound during bronchoscopic diagnostic or therapeutic intervention (s).” This procedure, which involves a special bronchoscope that has an ultrasound at its tip, is the newest technology for biopsying mediastinal nodes. EBUS allows the physician better visualization of the structures and provides a different level of guidance for bronchoscopic procedures. This equipment allows the physician to perform a minimally invasive procedure in lieu of a mediasteinoscopy (an open surgical procedure) that has more risks involved for the patient.#N#Code 31620 is an add-on code that is listed in addition to the primary procedure code. When looking at the CPT® codebook for this endoscopy section of the respiratory system, there are a plethora of notations that should aid you in your code selection. As is always the case, documentation is the first and most important part of your journey. Correct billing of bronchoscopies should be straightforward, and with the above questions answered, should be easier than ever.#N#Jill Young, CPC, is president of Young Medical Consulting LLC in East Lansing, MI. Young conducts educational seminars nationally as a member of the speakers’ panel for the AAPC, and locally for the Michigan State Medical Society.
Code 31620 is an add-on code that is listed in addition to the primary procedure code. When looking at the CPT® codebook for this endoscopy section of the respiratory system, there are a plethora of notations that should aid you in your code selection.
Notations after some codes such as 31628, 31629 and 31632 (transbronchial biopsies) state that the code should be reported only once , regardless of how many biopsies are taken on the lobe or upper airway location.
A diagnostic bronchoscopy is inherently bilateral. Most patients have two lungs and the pulmonologist would evaluate both during this procedure. This answers the first of the frequently asked questions on how to bill when the physician examines both bronchi.
Can a Bronchoscopy with documented Bronchial Washing RUL be coded as a BAL/Bronchoalveolar Washing for a Surg DRG, or can only Bronchial Washing of RUL bronchus be coded for no impact in DRG? I'm feeling a query would be needed to have clarified if that Bronchial Washing included Bronchoalveolar Washing before could code as a BAL.
Coding advice or code assignments contained in this issue effective with discharges March 13, 2017.