Advanced Search

Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Believe It or Not - You May Not Always Charge

Published on Fri Apr 01, 2005

Question: When a patient brings a CPAP computer card to the pulmonologist and the pulmonologist puts the card into his computer to get a print-out from the CPAP machine for interpretation, can we bill for this?


Massachusetts Subscriber


Answer: There is no separately reimbursable code for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) readings. If your pulmonologist completes a CPAP interpretation the same day as an office visit, you should consider the interpretation as part of the office visit for that day. 

More specifically, you should count the pulmonologist's interpretation as a factor in the amount and/or complexity of data ordered/reviewed for the medical decision-making aspect of the encounter. 
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

Pulmonology Coding Alert

View All