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Pulmonology Coding Alert

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Settle For Unlisted Inhalation Solutions Code For Histamine Challenges

Published on Mon Jul 23, 2012

Question: Our pulmonologist frequently undertakes methacholine challenge tests. But, sometimes he uses histamine for a challenge test. I know you should report 94070 to code the procedure. But, how do I report the histamine that he used for the challenge test? I am not finding any suitable code to report this.California SubscriberAnswer: You are right in reporting 94070 (Bronchospasm provocation evaluation, multiple spirometric determinations as in 94010, with administered agents [e.g., antigen[s], cold air, methacholine]) for a methacholine challenge test performed by your pulmonologist to assess the response of the patient's airways to bronchospasm. The same code is used to report the test if other agents such as provocholine, histamine or cold air is used to assess the patient's airways. If you are reporting services in a facility-based lab, your physician can only report 94070-26 to represent the professional component of this service. The facility will report 94070-TC as well [...]
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