ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Use Add-On Codes for Biopsies, Not Brushings
Question: Can I bill for multiple bronchoscopy brushings and biopsies when the ED physician performs the procedures in different lobes or lungs? Answer: Although you're coding multiple brushings, you should use 31623 (Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with or without fluoroscopic guidance; with brushing or protected brushings) only once per session. No add-on code exists to report additional lungs.
Michigan Subscriber
Previously, you reported biopsies once per session, as well. This year, however, CPT revised codes 31628 (Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with or without fluoroscopic guidance; with transbronchial lung biopsy[s], single lobe) and 31629 (... with transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy[s], trachea, main stem and/or lobar bronchus[i]) to identify biopsies in one lobe.
You may report biopsy services in different lobes with the add-on codes +31632 (... with transbronchial lung biopsy[s], each additional lobe [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) and +31633 (... with transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy[s], each additional lobe [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure).
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
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