Pulmonology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Clear Confusion Over Reporting Thoracentesis with Diagnostic Ultrasound

Question: My physician likes to do a thoracentesis with ultrasound imaging guidance, and then she will do a diagnostic ultrasound to check for pneumothorax. She does this instead of ordering a chest x-ray after thoracentesis; she states it is faster and more accurate to check for a pneumothorax this way. My question is can I bill for a thoracentesis (32555) [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more