Respiratory Question for the Week of March 2, 2020

Question:

How should respiratory therapy bill for ventilation management provided in the emergency department?

Answer:

Unfortunately, there is no CPT® code that represents ventilator management performed in the emergency department, including instances where the patient expires in the emergency department or is transferred to another facility. Ventilator management services provided by respiratory therapists in the emergency department are included and captured in the emergency department service level of care that is reported for the emergency department visit. If the patient is admitted to your facility as an inpatient or if the patient is transitioned within your facility as an observation stay, then CPT code 94002 can be assigned (time begins with the admission order for the initial day) and CPT code 94003 for each subsequent day, as applicable.

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.