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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

E0483: Serve Your Vest Therapy Coding Well

Published on Fri May 27, 2011

Question: How should I report a therapy using The Vest® airway clearance system? A therapist stays with the patient during the therapy session which usually lasts for 20 minutes twice a day.Connecticut SubscriberAnswer: Only a nonfacility can bill the Vest because it is a reusable device aimed at treating lobes of the lungs simultaneously. This device mimics manual chest percussion therapy, but is technology dependent on high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO).Pulmonologist would order Vest therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis (277.00-277.09) and tuberculous bronchiectasis (011.50- 011.55). Demonstration or use of this device that replace, rather than assist, hands-on-therapy (e.g., high frequency chest wall oscillation system vest) should not currently be reported with 94667-94668 (Manipulation chest wall, such as cupping, percussing, and vibration to facilitate lung function...). Instead, consider demonstration of such devices a component of any other billable service on a given date. However, you could bill the HCPCS code [...]
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