Pulmonology Coding Alert

Get set to mark your coding manual with these changes.

If you have been checking out your new CPT® manual to see what changes have been effected to pulmonology codes, don’t forget to check out some of the changes to bronchoscopy and some other procedures that have been included in the errata list that was recently released. Check out these corrections from the AMA before you dive into applying 2013 changes.

For example, in the CPT® section regarding respiratory endoscopic surgery to the trachea and bronchi, a current parenthetical note states, "For endoscopy procedures, code appropriate endoscopy of each anatomic site examined. Surgical bronchoscopy always includes diagnostic bronchoscopy when performed by the same physician. Codes 31622-31649, 31651, 31660, 31661 include fluoroscopic guidance, when performed."

The code list at the end should be changed to the new range of 31622-31651, 31660, and 31661, which include fluoroscopic guidance.

In addition, you’ll want to correct the bronchoscopy codes listed with the illustration of a bronchoscopy. Currently, the CPT® manual directs you to 31622-31646, but in reality that should say 31622-31651.

To read the complete list of errata, visit the AMA Web site at www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/cpt/cpt-corrections-errata.pdf.