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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Clear Confusion Over Initial and Repeat Aspiration of Airways

Published on Wed Aug 22, 2012

Question: One of my physicians is telling me to use 31646 only for repeat aspiration on the same date as an initial clear airway 31645 was performed. His understanding is that is the only time you would report 31646.It was my understanding that if multiple physicians are rounding on a patient that requires daily aspirations due to pneumonia or other issue would be to report the first date as 31645 for the initial clear airway and the second date would be the subsequent code of 31646. Tell me who is correct.Illinois SubscriberAnswer: Both of you are correct and wrong to a certain extent. As per the descriptors, the CPT® code 31645 (Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with therapeutic aspiration of tracheobronchial tree, initial [e.g., drainage of lung abscess]) is used when your pulmonologist tries to clear the airways in an initial attempt and 31646 (Bronchoscopy, rigid [...]
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