Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: When an office patient requires oxygen, what CPT code should I use for administering this service?


New York Subscriber

Answer: CPT does not contain separate oxygen administration codes--it bundles the oxygen into the E/M service you report for the day. You should report the appropriate office visit code that describes the service the pulmonologist performs and documents.

Example: A pulmonologist performs a detailed history, detailed examination and moderate-complexity medical decision-making before administering oxygen to a patient who is having an anaphylactic reaction to an allergy injection. You should assign 99214 (Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient -) and any separately billable procedures and special services.