AMA CPT® Assistant - 1991 Issue 1 (Spring)
Pulmonary Disease (Spring 1991)
Spring 1991 pages 2-6 Case-by-Case Pulmonary Disease Originally, there had been relatively little concern on Joe's part. Occasional physical checkups, nutritionally balanced meals, and walking for exercise had seemed an adequate lifestyle. Until age 62, he had not seriously considered the effects of his 40-year history of smoking, despite repeated warnings by his physician. However, Joe began to experience paroxymal coughing with increased sputum production and occasional shortness of breath. He makes an appointment to see his physician (general practitioner), Dr. A. The office visit entails a review of recent history, vital signs, auscultation of heart and lungs, and...
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Article Overview
This spring 1991 case study follows a patient through evaluation, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, pulmonary procedures, surgery, pathology review, and oncology consultation. It is useful for readers who want to understand the broad scope of coding topics tied to a complex pulmonary disease episode, including office, emergency department, inpatient, procedure, and pathology reporting considerations. The article also references related diagnostic coding and modifier usage in the context of concurrent care and postoperative services.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps coders, auditors, and clinical documentation staff recognize how a multi-stage pulmonary case is represented across different service settings and specialties.
Article Sections
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Case-by-Case
A narrative pulmonary disease case spanning initial outpatient care, emergency evaluation, hospitalization, procedure-based care, surgery, pathology, and oncology follow-up.
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Explanation of Codes
General coding references tied to the office visit, hospital care, emergency department service, and consultation portions of the case.
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Procedure Codes
Procedure-oriented reporting examples connected to thoracic and pulmonary services described in the case.
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Explanation of Codes
Additional consultation and surgical reporting references associated with the thoracic surgery and oncology portions of the episode.
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Explanation of Codes
Pathology reporting references associated with specimen review, frozen section services, and definitive examination.
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Case Study Diagnostic Codes
Diagnostic coding references tied to the pulmonary disease presentation, inpatient exacerbation, and malignancy findings.
What You Will Learn
- How a single pulmonary case can span multiple care settings and specialties.
- Which broad reporting topics are associated with office, emergency, inpatient, consultation, procedure, surgery, pathology, and oncology services.
- How diagnostic coding is presented alongside the case narrative.
- How the article frames concurrent care and postoperative service concepts in relation to the case.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Physician documentation staff
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Pulmonary and thoracic practice staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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