Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question:Codes 31628, 31624, and 31624 are all for bronchoscopy procedures. Will payers deny our claim if we used these codes together?Oregon SubscriberAnswer:Multiple procedures are permissible, and can occur during one bronchoscopy session. For instance, bronchoscopy might include a BAL (31624, Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial alveolar lavage), a protected brush sampling (31623, Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with brushing or protected brushings), and a transbronchial lung biopsy (31628, Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial lung biopsy[s], single lobe), all during one session. In this case, you should report all three codes: 31628, 31623, 31624.Tip: Always code the most complex code first, followed in order by the lower-complexity codes. However, the total reimbursement is not the sum of the individual reimbursements for each code. Rather, the total is the most complex bronchoscopic procedure, and the sum of [...]