Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: When a patient comes in for an office visit, how can we bill for spirometry, pre- and post-test?

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: You can bill for only one of the spirometry procedures. The common code to use for the first test is 94010 (spirometry, including graphic record, total and timed vital capacity, expiratory flow rate measurement[s], with or without maximal voluntary ventilation). Use 94070 (prolonged postexposure evaluation of bronchospasm with multiple spirometric determinations after antigen, cold air, methacholine or other chemical agent, with subsequent spirometrics) for the post test.

Pre and post is coded as 94060 (bronchospasm evaluation: spirometry as in 94010, before and after bronchodilator [aerosol or parenteral]), which includes all of the work of 94010, but is used when the spirometry is performed before administration of bronchodilators and after administration of bronchodilators to give a better analysis of the problem and the effects of treatment.

Answered by Susan Callaway, CPC, CCS-P, an independent coding consultant and educator in North Augusta, S.C.