Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Bronchoscopy: Technology and Reimbursement

Chest. 2021 Jul;160(1):259-267. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.02.008. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Abstract

Advanced interventional pulmonary procedures of the airways, pleural space, and mediastinum continue to evolve and be refined. Health care, finance, and clinical professionals are challenged by both the indications and related coding complexities. As the scope of interventional pulmonary procedures expands with advanced technique and medical innovation, program planning and ongoing collaboration among clinicians, finance executives, and reimbursement experts are key elements for success. We describe advanced bronchoscopic procedures, appropriate Current Procedural Terminology coding, valuations, and necessary modifiers to fill the knowledge gap between basic and advanced procedural coding. Our approach is to balance the description of procedures with the associated coding in a way that is of use to the proceduralist, the coding specialist, and other nonclinical professionals.

Keywords: Current Procedural Terminology; airway stent; argon plasma coagulation; bronchoscopy; coding; endobronchial ultrasound; laser; navigational bronchoscopy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bronchoscopy / economics
  • Bronchoscopy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / economics
  • Reimbursement Mechanisms*
  • Technology / economics*