What details should the operative report include when billing code 31624? What requirements exist for bronchial alveolar lavage to be coded?
When reporting code 31624, the operative report should state that cells and noncellular components from the epithelial surface of the lower respiratory tract were recovered. This procedure differs from washings in that washings refer only to the aspiration of secretions or small amounts of instilled saline from the larger airways. For bronchial alveolar lavage to be coded, repeated instillations of sterile saline occur in the aliquots with aspiration into one or more containers for laboratory testing.
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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