Respiratory Question for the Week of June 14, 2021

Question:

Can we charge 94640 for inhalation treatments provided to inpatients?

Answer:

Inhalation treatments on inpatients must meet medical necessity and the definition of “acute airway” as described by 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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