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Pulmonology Coding Alert

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Avoid Complications of ENB Billing With 31627

Published on Tue Jan 26, 2010

Question: A patient presents to the pulmonologist for possible lung cancer. The pulmonologist used electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) to help diagnose the lung cancer. What code should I submit for the test? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: For ENB reimbursements, you may submit a new code for 2010, CPT code 31627 (Bronchoscopy, with computer-assisted, image-guided navigation). While the code allows physicians to be reimbursed for performing ENB, make sure you list 31627 separately in addition to a primary bronchoscopy code since 31627 is a ZZZ, add-on, code which requires the listing of another primary bronchoscopy code when used. "ZZZ" represents add-on codes. These codes are related to another service and are always included in the global period of the primary service. What goes on: ENB is a two step process. Initially the pulmonologist synchronizes the patient's chest CT with a specialized computer program to allow for a virtual bronchoscopy. The pathway [...]
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