Pulmonary Diagnostic Testing and Therapies (October 2017)

Why This Topic Matters

Accurate reporting of pulmonary diagnostic testing depends on understanding how CPT updates distinguish similar procedures and how the new guidance affects code selection and service reporting. This article helps readers identify what changed in the code set and what broad areas of testing and documentation are addressed.

Article Sections

1. October 2017 pages 3-4

   Introductory material identifying the publication segment and the overall scope of the CPT update discussion.

2. Pulmonary Diagnostic Testing and Therapies

   Overview of the 2018 CPT changes affecting pulmonary diagnostic testing and therapies, including new, revised, and deleted code entries and related reporting guidance.

3. Rationale for Changes

   Background discussion on why the code set was reviewed and how the affected services were reclassified or clarified for the updated CPT edition.

4. Clinical Example (94617) / Description of Procedure (94617)

   A sample scenario and corresponding procedural overview illustrating the type of service represented by the first new pulmonary testing code.

5. Clinical Example (94618) / Description of Procedure (94618)

   A sample scenario and corresponding procedural overview illustrating the type of service represented by the second new pulmonary testing code.

6. Clinical Example (94621) / Description of Procedure (94621)

   A sample scenario and corresponding procedural overview illustrating the revised cardiopulmonary exercise testing service.

7. References

   Source citations and supporting reference material cited by the article.