Respiratory Question for the Week of March 20, 2023

Question:

Do you have any tips for reporting vital capacity?

Answer:

Code 94150, Vital capacity, total (separate procedure), measures vital capacity, a component of spirometry, without additional flow information or graphics, and is only reported when performed alone as a separate procedure. CMS continues to pay CPT® code 94150 as an STV-packaged service under OPPS for 2023. Many facilities have this code assigned to line items described as “peak flow.” In the 2001 CPT Companion, the AMA has stated that there is not a separate listing in CPT for reporting peak flow. The Principles of CPT Coding manual published by the American Medical Association, in 1999 states, “There is no separate code in CPT for reporting the performance of peak flow rate measurement.When performed, peak flow rate is an inherent part of the evaluation and management examination and is not separately reported.” If you have defined this code on the chargemaster as peak flow, consider inactivating the line item or remove the CPT code and track the procedure for “statistics only.” The peak flow meter is considered a routine supply that should be bundled into the cost of the procedure. The AMA states that 94150 should not be reported in conjunction with 94010, 94060, and 94728.

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.