Reader Question:
Bronchoscopy
Published on Mon Dec 31, 2012
Question: The February Pulmonology Coding Alert contains a reader question about bronchoscopies (Medicare Billing on page 15). We would like clarification, if possible. Recently my physician did a bronchoscopy with left upper lobe and left lower lobe endobronchial biopsies, left lower lobe transbronchial biopsy, left upper lobe brushing, left upper lobe washing and left lower lobe washing. How would you code these procedures? Would you code 31628 x1, 31625-51 x2, 31623 (with or without modifier) and 31624 (with or without modifier) x2?
Melony Dee
Grants Pass, Ore.
Answer: The correct CPT code for bronchoscopy with left upper lobe and left lower lobe endobronchial biopsies and left lower lobe transbronchial biopsy is 31628 (bronchoscopy, [rigid or flexible]; diagnostic, with or without cell washing; with transbronchial lung biopsy, with or without fluoroscopic guidance). Code 31628 can be billed only one time even though multiple bronchial [...]
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