CPT Assistant
Year: 2014
Issue: March
Pages: 11
Title: Coding Brief: Pulmonary Diagnostic
Testing and Therapies, Codes 94060, 94400, 94770, 94640
CPT code 94640, Pressurized or nonpressurized inhalation treatment for acute airway obstruction or for sputum induction for diagnostic purposes (eg, with an aerosol generator, nebulizer, metered dose inhaler or intermittent positive pressure breathing [IPPB] device), describes the use of equipment for nebulization of medication, which may include bronchodilators, mucolytics, antibiotics, and other medications. Nebulization of medication may be done for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, and can be done in the inpatient or outpatient setting. Code 94640 should not be reported when the nebulization is performed for therapeutic purposes. Modifier 76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, should be appended to code 94640 when reporting more than one inhalation treatment performed on the same date of service.