Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: Should I code an office visit with PPD (TB test)? Answer: No. There is no actual E/M service done during a visit where the sole purpoae is the administration of PPD. Instead, you should report these: V74.1 -- Special screening examination for bacterial and spirochetal diseases; pulmonary tuberculosis 86580 -- Skin test; tuberculosis, intradermal. Typically, PPD testing results are read 48-72 hours after administering the skin test. This means another office visit and evaluation of the results to determine whether it is negative or positive. Quick fact: Because a patient may not return for the reading, 86850's relative value units do not include the work of reading the test, according to Medicare. Therefore, when a nurse does the reading, you should bill these codes: 99211 -- Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, that may not require the presence of a physician. Usually, the presenting [...]