Respiratory Question for the Week of February 18, 2019

Question:

Is there a CPT code to report when a respiratory therapist provides instruction on how to use incentive spirometry in a physician’s office?

Answer:

CPT code 94014 references reinforced education, but the intent of the code is specific to patient-initiated spirometric recording per 30-day period.  Education for use of peak flow meter or incentive spirometer would not meet the requirement of the code. Patient-initiated spirometric recording per 30-day period of time; includes reinforced education, the transmission of spirometric tracing, data capture, analysis of transmitted data, periodic recalibration and review and interpretation by a physician or other qualified health care professional.

CPT 94664 addresses demonstration and evaluation of a device but does not list peak flow meter or incentive spirometer as one of the covered devices.

This question was answered in our annual Respiratory Therapy Reimbursement & Compliance Update webcast. For more hot topics relating to respiratory services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.