Internal Medicine Coding Alert
Same-Day Spirometry/Bronchospasm Tests
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Question: Our internist conducted a spirometry and bronchospasm test on a patient on the same day. Can we report both procedures using modifier -59 to bypass the NCCI edits? Oklahoma Subscriber Answer: No, you cannot separately report spirometry and bronchospasm tests conducted on the same patient on the same day, with or without modifier -59 (Distinct procedural service). You should report 94060 (Bronchospasm evaluation: spirometry as in 94010, before and after bronchodilator [aerosol or parenteral]). Warning: Before reporting any procedure performed on the same day as a bronchospasm test, check the NCCI edits. They clearly state that spirometry (94010, Spirometry, including graphic record, total and timed vital capacity, expiratory flow rate measurement[s], with or without maximal voluntary ventilation]) is bundled into 94060. Some of the other codes that NCCI bundled into 94060 include:
94200 -- Maximum breathing capacity, maximal voluntary ventilation
-- Reader Question and You be the Expert were reviewed by Catherine Brink, CMM, CPC, president of Healthcare Resource Management in Spring Lake, N.J.
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Same-Day Spirometry/Bronchospasm Tests
Question: Our internist conducted a spirometry and bronchospasm test on a patient on the same [...]