Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: I have no idea how to report albuterol treatment in an office. Is the procedure billable? Idaho Subscriber Answer: Yes. You should report albuterol administration with 94640 (Pressurized or nonpressurized inhalation treatment for acute airway obstruction or for sputum induction for diagnostic purposes [e.g., with an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or intermittent positive pressure breathing {IPPB} device]) -- also known as the nebulizer treatment code -- and the appropriate HPCPS J code. Your J code choices should include: • J7611 -- Albuterol, inhalation solution, FDA-approved final product, non-compounded, administered through DME, concentrated form, 1 mg • J7612 -- Levalbuterol, inhalation solution, FDA-approved final product, non-compounded, administered through DME, concentrated form, 0.5 mg • J7613 - Albuterol, inhalation solution, FDA-approved final product, non-compounded, administered through DME, unit dose, 1 mg • J7614 -- Levalbuterol, inhalation solution, FDA-approved final product, non-compounded, administered through DME, unit dose, 0.5 mg. Bonus: You cannot bill for compounded bronchodilator [...]