Pulmonology Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
Don't Bill Separately for Catheter Drainage
Published on Fri Apr 01, 2005
Question: A patient comes to our office for follow-up on a pleural catheter (32019) our pulmonologist previously placed. During that office visit, the pulmonologist drains the patient's catheter. Should we consider the draining as part of the EM or can we bill for it separately? If we can bill for it separately, are there any supplies that we can also bill for?
New Jersey Subscriber
Answer: Unfortunately, you should consider the pulmonologist's work to drain the catheter as part of the work involved in the E/M services he provides for that day. There is also no separate billing of supplies required for the catheter draining.
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