Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: Would it be appropriate for a physician to interpret arterial blood gases (ABGs), billing for 82803 (gases, blood, any combination of pH, pCO2, pO2, CO2, HCO3 [including calculated O2 saturation]), or is this considered part of the test procedure and not a separately reportable service?

Colorado Subscriber

Answer: The lab typically provides the report or interpretation for this test. The interpretation of the findings by the physician is not a separately reportable service. The work for this is considered part of the decision-making component of the evaluation and management (E/M) service (99201-99215) on the day the test was ordered.

Consequently, if the physician sees the patient in his or her office, the decision-making includes not only the history and examination but also the review or ordering of the test.

Answered by Susan Callaway, CPC, CCS-P, an independent coding consultant and educator in North Augusta, S.C.