Changes 2007 - Pulmonary (April 2007)

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers identify which pulmonary services were newly addressed or revised for CPT 2007 and how the update is organized across multiple respiratory care topics. It is especially relevant for practices that code ventilatory support, neonatal surfactant administration, home monitoring, and respiratory diagnostic testing.

Article Sections

1. Ventilatory Management

   Introduces a new pulmonary subsection within CPT medicine services and discusses general coding updates related to ventilatory management. The section also notes related reporting guidance and a clinical scenario.

2. Surfactant Administration

   Covers a respiratory procedure update involving neonatal or preterm care and discusses associated reporting context. The section includes a clinical scenario and procedural description.

3. Pulmonary Stress Testing

   Reviews an editorial revision to a pulmonary diagnostic test and notes the type of interpretation expected. A brief clinical context is included.

4. Continuous Bronchodilator Therapy

   Summarizes new pulmonary treatment codes for extended inhalation therapy and explains that related prior codes were deleted. The section includes coding tips and clinical scenarios.

5. Pediatric Home Apnea Monitoring

   Describes newly added pediatric home monitoring services and how the monitoring workflow is divided among related components. The section includes reporting guidance, coding tips, and a clinical scenario.

6. Exhaled Nitric Oxide

   Discusses a diagnostic test used in respiratory inflammation assessment and notes a related Category III alternative for spectroscopy. The section includes a clinical scenario and procedural description.