Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: Should we be reporting 94664 when a nurse provides nebulizer education/demonstration/monitoring for a patient? We've never billed it before, but the Medicare fee schedule shows it pays more than the nebulizer code. Can I bill for this? Idaho SubscriberAnswer: Yes, you might be able to report 94664 (Demonstration and/or evaluation of patient utilization of an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or IPPB device) if a nurse or other provider shows a patient how to use a nebulizer-type device, such as an inhaler; teaches the patient proper usage including hold and dosing; or observes the patient using the device. The physician or nonphysician provider (NPP) who orders the nebulizer education should indicate the medical necessity for the service, such as incorrect handhold, new prescription, etc.Beware: The Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits bundle 94664 into inhalation treatment code 94640 (Pressurized or nonpressurized inhalation treatment for acute airway obstruction or for [...]