Pulmonology Coding Alert
Capture Hypercapnia and Hypoxia From ABG Tests
As ICD-10 codes for chronic respiratory failure are based on the presence of hypoxia or hypercapnia, you will need to know how to identify this in the documentation. You can identify this information by looking at the results of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.
When there is hypoxia, you will note an arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) < 60mm of Hg while arterial carbon dioxide tension remains normal or low. If hypoxia is present, the respiratory failure is classified as type I failure.
When hypercapnia is present, PaCO2 levels will be higher than 50 mm of Hg. The pH levels will be less than 7.3 and bicarbonate levels will usually be elevated. A respiratory failure with hypercapnia is classified as type II failure.
Pulmonology Coding Alert
- CCI 20.0 Update:
Check CCI 20.0 Before Reporting PFTs With E/M Service Codes
CCI also focuses on completing the list of ME pairings for polysomnography. While you’re working [...] - History How-To:
Guide Your Pulmonologist in the Right Direction With These 5 History Tips
Don’t make the mistake of counting elements more than once. When your clinician is recording [...] - ICD-10 Update:
Scan ABG Analysis to Accurately Pinpoint Chronic Respiratory Failure in ICD-10
Use separate code choices for acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure When your pulmonologist arrives [...] - Capture Hypercapnia and Hypoxia From ABG Tests
As ICD-10 codes for chronic respiratory failure are based on the presence of hypoxia or [...] - You Be the Coder:
Find Out When to Use Additional Units of 94660 For Subsequent Service
Question: The descriptor to CPT® code 94660 mentions the words “initiation and management.” So, if [...] - Reader Question:
Check on Reporting Critical Care Services on Subsequent Days
Question: If our clinician provides critical care services to a patient and if this service [...] - Reader Question:
Dissipate Confusion About Reporting Two E/M Services on Same Date of Service
Question: If a patient is seen twice by two different physicians on the same date [...]
