Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: My physician wants to code for a 6-minute walking test used for stamina. Does such a code exist, and what is it? Delaware Subscriber Answer: The code you're looking for is 94620 (Pulmonary stress testing; simple [e.g., 6-minute walk test, prolonged exercise test for bronchospasm with pre- and post-spirometry and oximetry]). The 6MWT measures the distance walked over 6 minutes in which the pulmonary function technologist encourages the patient to walk as fast as possible all throughout. The technologist then measures the patient's oxygen saturation, heart rate and dyspnea. Warning: The physician should perform the E/M that results in the order for the 6MWT, then provide an interpretation and report before you can bill 94620 separately. Otherwise, roll that test into the overall E/M level and report the appropriate-level code. -- Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided/reviewed by Barbara J. Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CENTC, CPC-H, CPC-P, [...]