Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: Recently our pulmonologist discontinued a bronchoscopy (31622) because the patient began to have difficulty breathing. Which codes should I use? Also, do I need to append a modifier?

Arkansas Subscriber

Answer: If your pulmonologist terminates a procedure because the patient's health is at risk, you may report the service by appending modifier -53 (Discontinued procedure) to the bronchoscopy procedure code (31622-53). Remember that when you use modifier-53, you should alert the insurer that your physician didn't complete the procedure. The insurer will not pay you until a claim representative reviews your physician's notes. The notes should document that the patient began having difficulty breathing (518.82).