Pulmonology Coding Alert

Stick with the basics if you'd like a squeaky clean claim. What do you have to say from the quiz on page 3? Coding bronchoscopy procedures can be a real test, especially with the existence of many different bronchoscopy codes. Be able to tell when a bronchoscopy procedure calls for unfuzzy coding and when the coding becomes more challenging. Use 31622 as Your Base Bronchoscopy Code Answer 1: A. Usually, you'd use the basic bronchoscopy code 31622 (Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible; diagnostic, with or without cell washing; separate procedure) for a simple suctioning of the mucus. What happens: Diagnostic bronchoscopy involves a pulmonologist inserting a bronchoscope and visualizing the vocal cords, tracheobronchial tree, major lobar, and segmental bronchi for abnormalities, says Jeff Berman, MD, FCCP, executive director of the Florida Pulmonary Society. Often, physicians opt for diagnostic bronchoscopy as an initial procedure to diagnose or manage the presenting problem. The results [...]