AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2011 Quarter 3; Ask the Editor
Bronchoscopy and Biopsy of Endobronchial Lesion
The patient was admitted with a mass of the upper lobe of the right lung. The bronchoscope was advanced to the left lung. There were no endobronchial lesions, but there was a moderate amount of thick mucous-like secretions which were suctioned and cleared. It was advanced to the right lung where moderate secretions were suctioned. An endobronchial lesion was found in the right bronchus obstructing the apical segment of the right upper lobe. Several endobronchial biopsies were taken from the endobronchial lesion obstructing the apical segment of the right upper lobe. What is the procedure code assignment for this procedure? ...
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Article Overview
This article presents a bronchoscopy scenario focused on an endobronchial lesion and the related procedure coding question. It is intended for coders and others reviewing respiratory procedure coding, and it addresses how the case is interpreted for assignment of the procedure code discussed in the article.
Why This Topic Matters
Respiratory procedure coding often depends on recognizing the scope of the bronchoscopic service and the documented biopsy component. This article helps readers understand the type of coding guidance being applied to a bronchoscopy case involving an endobronchial lesion.
What You Will Learn
- How a bronchoscopy case with an endobronchial lesion is framed for coding review.
- What type of procedure coding guidance the article applies to the documented biopsy service.
- How the case is interpreted at a high level for procedure code assignment.
- The relationship between the clinical scenario and the coding question posed.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- HIM professionals
- Revenue cycle staff
- Clinical documentation reviewers
Codes Discussed
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