Question:
What determines medical necessity for billing pulse oximetry?
Answer:
Avoid billing for pulse oximetry services that are better defined as routine monitoring of the patient. Medically necessary pulse oximetry must include in the medical record a physician/practitioner’s documented request with parameters for each measurement. The testing would be expected to have medical indications for the management of a patient’s care.
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.