Respiratory Question for the Week of July 11, 2022

Question:

How do we determine when 88740 and 88741 should be billed separately or bundled? Do you have any advice?

Answer:

As with all billed services, the question of medical necessity must be addressed when considering whether or not the CPT® codes 88740 and 88741 should be separately billed or bundled. When the modules provide continuous monitoring or trending rather than one-time diagnostic measurements, the requirement for separate billing has not been met. When considering charge strategies for the transcutaneous procedure codes, you should consider the same logic that applies to the monitoring of transdermal oxygen saturations (pulse oximetry). Note that pulse oximetry when used as a routine monitor, rather than a diagnostic tool used in the diagnosis or treatment of the patient, is bundled and not separately billed.

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.