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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Multiple Procedures With Bronchoscopy

Published on Sat Dec 01, 2001

Question: How should I code for multiple procedures performed during a single bronchoscopy?

Montana Subscriber  
Answer: To ensure accuracy and to capture all of the procedures performed during the bronchoscopic procedure, you should refer to the performing physicians procedure report (dictated or written). When coding these procedures, be aware that surgical bronchoscopy (31623-31656) always includes the diagnostic procedure (31622) when performed by the same physician.
 
If more than one procedure is performed during the operative session, it is appropriate to report them separately. When doing this, the primary procedure or the highest-valued should be listed first, and additional procedures performed during the same operative session should be reported according to their specific relative value unit.
 
The additional procedures may be identified by appending modifier -51 (multiple procedures).
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