Pulmonology Coding Alert

New codes on PFT, wheeze rating, and bronchial valve take the stage in 2011.Brace yourself for a new wave of Category III codes affecting pulmonology coders, going into effect Jan. 1...Background: Category III codes first came up in 2001 when the American Medical Association (AMA) saw the need for a systematic means of establishing specific codes for new procedures and technologies that do not meet the criteria for Category I CPT codes. They are temporary 5-year codes expected to be converted to a fullblown Category I code within this period.Hint: You would usually be able to identify Category III codes with their format of four numbers followed by the letter T (e.g., 0177T). Thus, they are sometimes called "T" codes.Bronchial Valve Codes Make A DebutThree new codes affecting bronchial valve procedures (insertion or removal) describe emerging technologies, including:0250T -- Airway sizing and insertion of bronchial valve(s), each lobe (List separately in [...]