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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Surgery Coding:

Avoid Making Critical Mistakes When Coding Lung Volume Reduction Surgeries

Published on Mon Jun 21, 2010

Code 32491's descriptor eliminates the need to ever use modifiers 50, 52.Billing for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) can reimburse you as much as $1,441 -- but your coding has to be spot-on to guarantee you'll be paid.Quick Fact: LVRS is sometimes referred to as reduction pneumoplasty (RP). It requires a comprehensive team approach that can only be delivered by an experienced team of thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses who specialize in complex lung disease.Flip the situation to your favor by keeping an eye on the following warning signs, and you'll be sure to avoid losing those valued dollars.Applying Modifier 50 Could Mean TroubleThe code for lung volume reduction is 32491 (Removal of lung, other than total pneumonectomy; excision-plication of emphysematous lung[s] [bullous or non-bullous] for lung volume reduction, sternal split or transthoracic approach, with or without any pleural procedure). The issue of unilateral or bilateral surgery does not [...]
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