Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Measuring Lung Volume

Question: We measured lung volume and now have been rejected using code 94360. Is 94240 the correct choice?

Illinois Subscriber

Answer: Code 94360 (determination of resistance to airflow, oscillatory or plethysmographic methods) measures the level of obstruction to airflow and would not define lung volume. As you suggest, 94240 (functional residual capacity or residual volume: helium method, nitrogen open circuit method, or other method) measures functional residual capacity (FRC). If youre determining the size of the balloon and not the speed at which it will fill, use 94240.
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