Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: Our pulmonologist biopsied and brushed the same lesion during a bronchoscopy. Can I use codes 31625 and 31623 even though they are used on the same lesion?

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Answer: Yes, you can use both codes together. You won’t find any National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits prohibiting reporting CPT^® codes 31625 (Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial or endobronchial biopsy(s), single or multiple sites) and 31623 (…; with brushing or protected brushings) on the same report.

Both codes are bronchoscopy procedures, but the analysis and results they provide are pathologically unique. Code 31625 is a biopsy that uses forceps to take a solid piece of tissue for pathology, whereas 31623 is a procedure that uses a brush to obtain cells for cytology.