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Pulmonology Coding Alert

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76942 Matches Ultrasound Guidance for Thoracentesis

Published on Mon Apr 18, 2011

Question:How would you code an ultrasound guided thoracentesis?New Hampshire SubscriberAnswer:Per CPT, you would report 76942 (Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement [e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device], imaging supervision and interpretation) with either 32421 (Thoracentesis, puncture of pleural cavity for aspiration, initial or subsequent) or 32422 (Thoracentesis with insertion of tube, includes water seal [e.g., for pneumothorax], when performed [separate procedure]).Tip: In a facility, if your physician dictates and signs the official report for the imaging service (76942), you may be able to report the imaging separately using the appropriate CPT code with modifier 26 (Professional component) appended. However, note that in most cases, a facility radiologist, rather than the physician, will report the imaging service.
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