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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Coding Quiz Answers:

Draw the Line Between 32421 and 32422 Using Physician Notes as a Tool

Published on Sat May 22, 2010

Tip: Syringe and catheter play important roles.Thoracentesis helps to diagnose or to treat a patient with a pleural effusion. If you're not careful about identifying the procedure and equipment, you could easily get confused between the two codes for thoracentesis. In fact, reporting 32421 instead of 32422 could spell a difference of about $38 per procedure. There are clues in the thoracentesis report that will point you to the appropriate thoracentesis code, particularly within what actions the pulmonologist take and what type of equipment is used. Look for these clues to submit your claims minus the headache.Take Syringe Use as a Hint for 32421Scenario 1: A patient comes to the office complaining of shortness of breath. The pulmonologist evaluates the patient obtaining important historical information. She then performs an exam, including percussion and auscultation of the lungs. She percusses the patient's chest, noting dullness. The breath sounds are greatly diminished [...]
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