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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

CPT® Limits 31725 To Just 'Fiberoptic Bronchoscope'

Published on Fri May 27, 2011

Question: What are the clues to properly coding 31725? I usually link candidiasis of lung to this CPT®, but what other ICD-9 codes can I use?Texas SubscriberAnswer: Think "fiberoptic bronchoscope" when reporting 31725. For this procedure, a physician would perform tracheobronchial catheter aspiration with a fiberscope at the bedside where conscious sedation may be needed.How does it happen: The pulmonologist would introduce the catheter through the mouth or a previously established tracheostomy, and advance through the trachea and into the main bronchus under fiberscopic guidance. She would advance the catheter into the right and/or left bronchi as needed. Then, she would remove pulmonary secretions or foreign material from the bronchi and trachea using intermittent suction. Commonly used ICD-9 codes for 31725 include:112.4 (Candidiasis of lung)162.5 (Malignant neoplasm of lower lobe, bronchus or lung) 277.00-277.09 (Cystic fibrosis) 480.0-480.9 (Pneumonia).If the physician performed aspiration through the nasotracheal area, you would report 31720 [...]
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