Respiratory Question for the Week of October 15, 2018

Question:

What codes would be assigned for a six-minute walk test?

Answer:

According to coding guidelines from the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC), it is appropriate to use the following code:

94618 Pulmonary stress testing; simple (e.g., 6-minute walk test), including measurement of heart rate, oximetry, and oxygen titration, when performed.

AARC says the code is appropriate to evaluate distance, dyspnea, oxyhemoglobin desaturation, and heart rate. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and liter flow of supplemental oxygen are to be reported at rest, during exercise, and during recovery. Physician analysis of data and interpretation of the test are procedurally inclusive components of this code.

To report exercise testing use:

94617 Exercise test for bronchospasm, including pre- and post-spirometry, electrocardiographic recording(s), and pulse oximetry.

 

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