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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Use Appropriate Modifiers to Unbundle Biopsy Procedures

Published on Mon Mar 26, 2012

Question: Our pulmonologist recently performed a bronchoscopy with brushing and washings and also performed an endobronchial biopsy along with transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy in the same procedure. What is the right way to report the procedures that our pulmonologist performed?Oregon SubscriberAnswer: The right way to code will depend on the site/ sites in which the procedures were conducted. If your pulmonologist was performing the two biopsy methods on the same lesion, then you can only report the transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy (TBNA) with 31629 (Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy[s], trachea, main stem and/or lobar bronchus[i]) and the brushings with 31623 (Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with brushing or protected brushings). In this scenario, if the endobronchial biopsy were performed on a lesion with a TBNA performed on a node, you may report with 31625 and 31629. Correct [...]
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