AMA CPT® Assistant - 1999 Issue 3 (March)
Medicine, Other Vascular Studies, 93720 (Q&A) (March 1999)
March 1999 page 10a Coding Consultation Medicine, Other Vascular Studies, 93720 (Q&A) Question What is total body plethysmography (code 93720)? AMA Comment Code 93720 describes a diagnostic pulmonary evaluation that measures thoracic gas volume, compliance of the lung, airway resistance and airway conductance. An example of a typical patient is as follows: A 65-year-old man has severe dyspnea with minimal exertion and bullous emphysema on chest x-ray. He is evaluated for possible resection of large bullae that are causing hyperinflation of the chest and compression of functioning lung. Total body plethysmography is performed, along with a gas dilution...
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Article Overview
This article covers a March 1999 AMA coding consultation about a pulmonary diagnostic study in the Medicine section, with emphasis on how the service is described and how related CPT reporting roles are distinguished. It is useful for coders, billers, and reimbursement staff who need to understand the scope of the testing discussed and the general context for documentation and reporting.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding the article helps readers identify whether the consultation applies to pulmonary diagnostic testing documentation, interpretation, and reporting workflows discussed in CPT guidance.
Article Sections
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March 1999 page 10a
Publication placement and article context for the coding consultation.
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Coding Consultation
Introductory consultation framing for the Q&A content.
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Question
The coding question prompting the discussion of the pulmonary diagnostic study.
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AMA Comment
Editorial response describing the general nature of the study and discussing related CPT reporting categories in broad terms.
What You Will Learn
- The clinical and coding context of a pulmonary diagnostic evaluation.
- How the consultation frames related reporting distinctions within CPT guidance.
- The general documentation and reporting context discussed in the article.
- intended_audiences":["Medical coders","Billing staff","Compliance staff","Physician practices"],
- topics":["Pulmonary diagnostics","Vascular studies","Coding consultation","Diagnostic testing documentation","Physician interpretation and reporting"],
- medical_specialties":["Pulmonology","Medicine"],
- code_sets":["CPT"],
- codes":[{
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance staff
- Physician practices
Codes Discussed
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