Question:

Can we charge 94640 for inhalation treatments provided to inpatients?

Answer:

To qualify as separately billable services, inhalation treatments on inpatients must meet medical necessity and the definition of “acute airway” as described by CPT® code 94640. Often the treatments in the inpatient setting are performed by nursing staff, not respiratory therapists, and are simply the continuation of home medication while the patient is hospitalized for a reason other than their respiratory condition.

This question was answered in our Coding Essentials for RT/Pulmonary Function. For more hot topics relating to respiratory services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.

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Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

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