Respiratory Question for the Week of March 5, 2018

Question:

What CPT^® codes can we use for Medicare claims when we provide high-flow oxygen therapy?

Answer:

Oxygen therapy, including high-flow oxygen, is not defined by a CPT code. The cost for delivery of the oxygen (gas) is billed as a supply item with revenue code 271. Panacea consultants recommend that the charge be submitted based on a time increment that documentation supports.

For example, oxygen would be charged based on patient rounds each four hours when supported by a therapist’s or nurse’s note in the medical record that corresponds with this time increment. The note should reference oxygen flow rate, mode of delivery and O2 saturation percentage.

CPT^® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.