Simplify Your Spirometry Claim
Question: I have a report where the pulmonologist performed spirometry, then administered a long-acting bronchodilator via a nebulizer and performed spirometry again. The physician was seeing the patient for evaluation of their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I’m new to pulmonology coding and I reported 94010 and 94060, but the claim was denied. How do I correct the claim? Louisiana Subscriber Answer: Instead of reporting 94010 (Spirometry, including graphic record, total and timed vital capacity, expiratory flow rate measurement(s), with or without maximal voluntary ventilation) and 94060 (Bronchodilation responsiveness, spirometry as in 94010, pre- and post-bronchodilator administration) together, you’ll use just 94060 to report the pulmonologist’s services. Spirometry is inherently included in the bronchodilation responsiveness evaluation. Therefore, the codes 94010 and 94060 cannot be reported separately when the provider captures spirometry measurements before and after administering a bronchodilator on the same day. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Development Editor, AAPC
