Respiratory Question for the Week of July 8, 2024

Question:

What code should be used for brushings or protected brushings during a bronchoscopy, and what important considerations should be taken into account when coding for inpatient versus outpatient procedures?

Answer:

For brushings or protected brushings, use code 31623 once, regardless of the number of passes of the brush are required. The ICD-10-CM coding system used for reporting of inpatient procedures considers bronchoscopy with brushing and washings as excision or drainage. Be careful of the differences in coding for inpatient and outpatient procedures and assure that the procedure is accurately reported. Note that charge capture should generally be the same regardless of patient type unless different ancillary procedural areas are involved.

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.