Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: My practice has just started to bill pulmonary function tests (PFTs). In one case, I billed 94060, 94240, 94260, 94360, 94720, and 94760 to Medicare. I got a denial from Medicare for 94760, stating that it was bundled into the main procedure. I checked the CCI edits, which showed no such bundle. Could you explain how this happened? Illinois Subscriber Answer: If you looked closely in the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits, you would see that 94760 (Noninvasive ear or pulse oximetry for oxygen saturation; single determination) is not associated with the codes 94060 (Bronchodilation responsiveness, spirometry as in 94010, pre- and post-bronchodilator administration), 94240 (Functional residual capacity or residual volume: helium method, nitrogen open circuit method, or other method), 94260 (Thoracic gas volume), 94360 (Determination of resistance to airflow, oscillatory or plethysmographic methods), and 94720 (Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity [e.g., single breath, steady state]). Why: The reason is [...]