Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: If I used the bronchoscopy codes 31628, 31623, and 31624 together in a claim, would I get a denial? Maryland Subscriber Answer: No. Experts agree that it is possible for multiple procedures to occur during one bronchoscopy session. If a bronchoscopy session included a BAL (31624, Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial alveolar lavage), a protected brush sampling (31623, Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with brushing or protected brushings), and a transbronchial lung biopsy (31628, Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with or without fluoroscopic guidance; with transbronchial lung biopsy[s], single lobe) all during one session, then you should report all three procedures. Don't forget to list the most complex procedure first, followed by the less complex codes.Warning: Don't expect to get your reimbursement based on the sum of the individual reimbursements for each code. The total reimbursement is the most complex [...]