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Pulmonology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Dont Confuse 94620 With 94060

Published on Tue Apr 01, 2003

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Question: What is the difference between pre- and post-spirometry (94060) and pulmonary stress testing (94620)? For example, the pulmonologist sees a patient with suspected interstitial lung disease. I checked his resting and exercise pulse oximetry and vital signs. Can I use 94620 with this? Pennsylvania Subscriber


Answer: 94060 refers to spirometric testing before and after bronchodilation to measure the patient's response to the treatment. On the other hand, 94620 refers to simple pulmonary stress testing in which spirometry is administered before and after exercise. Lung function is measured after being induced by exercise.

Many coders get stress testing confused with 94761 (Noninvasive ear or pulse oximetry for oxygen saturation; multiple determinations [e.g., during exercise]). This codes represents pulse oximetry measurements taken before and after exercise. In the scenario you describe, it sounds as if the most appropriate code for you is 94761 to show the pulse oximetry measurements and vital signs.  

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