Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: Which code should we report when we perform asthma education to asthmatic patients?

Tennessee subscriber

Answer: You should report 94664 (Demonstration and/or evaluation of patient utilization of an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or IPPB device) for your asthma education. This code is generally allowed once per year, but may go toward a patient's deductible. You should keep that in mind and remember to advise patients about this so they don't see the charge on their deductible EOB later and call your office with complaints.

If this education is provided at the same visit when a 94640 aerosol is administered, a 59 modifier (Distinct procedural service) will need to be added to 94664 in order to be paid. Otherwise, payers will typically bundle 94664 into 94640, consistent with a National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edit.