Otolaryngology Coding Alert

These 3 case studies will illuminate key coding concepts. If your allergist treats respiratory conditions such as asthma and emphysema, you'll need to bone up on coding for nebulizer treatments, respiratory drugs and the appropriate E/M services. To familiarize yourself with some basics of nebulizer coding, use the following expert-approved case studies. Case study #1: A patient presents with acute exacerbation of asthma (493.02, Extrinsic asthma; with [acute] exacerbation). The nurse, who's working under the allergist's supervision, administers albuterol using a pressurized inhalation treatment. What to report: You should assign 94640 (Pressurized or nonpressurized inhalation treatment for acute airway obstruction or for sputum induction for diagnostic purposes [e.g., with an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) device]) for the nebulizer treatment. To bill for the drug, list the appropriate J code, such as J7613 (Albuterol, inhalation solution, FDA-approved final product, non-compounded, administered through DME, [...]