Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: What's the best code to submit when one of our providers offers asthma education to an asthmatic patient?Tennessee Subscriber Answer:You should typically report asthma education with 94664 (Demonstration and/or evaluation of patient utilization of an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or IPPB device). Payers generally allow 94664 once per year, but the fee might go toward a patient's deductible. Remember to advise patients about this, so they don't see the charge toward their deductible on the EOB later and call your office with complaints.Modify it: Providers sometimes offer the education and administer an inhalation treatment (94640, Pressurized or nonpressurized inhalation treatment for acute airway obstruction or for sputum induction for diagnostic purposes [e.g., with an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or intermittent positive pressure breathing {IPPB} device]) during the same patient encounter. If so, append modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) to 94664 in order to be paid. [...]