Pulmonology Coding Alert
Postoperative Pneumonia
Question: How should we code a consultative visit for a surgical patient with postoperative pneumonia?
Utah Subscriber
Answer: A pulmonary consultation for a patient with pneumonia is coded with the appropriate level E/M code (i.e., 99241-99245 for outpatient and 99251-99255 for inpatient). If the pneumonia is a direct complication of the surgical procedure, 997.3 can be reported. Otherwise, 485 would be coded for bronchopneumonia when the causative organism was unknown or unspecified. Codes 480.0-484.8 are used to report pneumonia due to specific identified organisms. Frequently, postoperative patients develop hypostatic pneumonia, which is coded as 514.
Pulmonology Coding Alert
- Code All Services When Treating Sarcoidosis Patients to Optimize Reimbursement
A patient with signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis presents numerous coding challenges to the pulmonologist. [...] - Use E Codes to Clarify Claims
Pulmonology practices should understand the implications of billing for services using E codes (E800-E999), which [...] - You Be the Coder:
Postoperative Pneumonia
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - CCI 8.1 Will Not Greatly Impact Pulmonologists
The Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) version 8.1, effective April 1, does not dramatically impact pulmonology [...] - CMS Clarifies Use of Modifiers -GA,-GY,-GZ
CMS has posted a new chart on its Web site (www.hcfa.gov/medlearn/refabn.htm) instructing physicians and Medicare [...] - Reader Question:
Consultation Leading to Other Services
Question: Our pulmonology practice recently received a cardiology referral who has symptomatic sinus bradycardia and [...] - Reader Question:
Medical Necessity
Question: How should I code medical necessity for a cardiac resuscitation in the hospital setting? [...] - Reader Question:
Administering Allergy Injections
Question: Some asthmatic patients bring their allergy injection preparation for us to administer and then [...]
