Compliance Question of the Week – Respiratory

We assign code 94375 (respiratory flow volume loop) when a preoperative evaluation is ordered to distinguish between fixed and variable upper-airway obstructions. Can you provide any billing guideline we should know?

Can respiratory therapists (RTs) perform smoking and tobacco-use cessation counseling services for Medicare patients? Since the RTs really don’t submit claims, can the hospital bill a technical component if the services are performed by an RT under physician order (i.e., under the Medicare incident-to policy)?

Can we bill for RT when provided to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) patient?

How many times per episode can we report 94640?

When is it appropriate to report CPT code 94640?

Can you provide an example of a mutually exclusive respiratory procedure?

Last week you mentioned that 94010 and 95070 were part of the mutually exclusive procedure policy. Can you provide a little more information about this policy?

Can code 94010 and 95070 be reported together on a claim for spirometry?

Can we get paid for submitting a Medicare claim for stationary oxygen equipment with the QG modifier AND a claim for portable oxygen equipment with the same date of service?

Does Medicare have any guidance for assigning modifier QF (prescribed amount of oxygen is greater than 4 LPM and portable oxygen is prescribed)?

Does Medicare have any guidance for assigning modifier QF (prescribed amount of oxygen is greater than 4 LPM and portable oxygen is prescribed)?

Are the CPT codes for patient-initiated spirometric recording covered by Medicare and/or private payers?