AMA CPT® Assistant - 1998 Issue 12 (December)
Respiratory System Endoscopy, 31622 (Q&A) (December 1998)
December 1998 page 8e Coding Consultation Respiratory System Endoscopy, 31622 (Q&A) Question Can one use the code 31622 , Bronchoscopy; diagnostic (flexible or rigid), with or without cell washing or brushing, to describe a bronchoscopy that involves the insertion of a flexible fiber-optic scope down to, but not necessarily past, the level of the vocal cords? The trachea and the division of the trachea into the two main bronchi would be visualized at that time. AMA Comment CPT code 31622 is intended to be used to describe a procedure that involves the use of a bronchoscope with visualization of...
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Article Overview
This article is a brief CPT coding consultation from AMA CPT Assistant focused on respiratory system endoscopy. It addresses a question about how a bronchoscopy-related service is characterized in CPT guidance and summarizes the AMA’s explanatory comment on the intended scope of the procedure. The piece is useful for coders, auditors, and clinical documentation staff working with respiratory endoscopy documentation and CPT interpretation.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers understand how CPT guidance frames a bronchoscopy-related service and why documentation detail matters for respiratory endoscopy coding.
Article Sections
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Question
A coding question about respiratory endoscopy documentation and the scope of the reported bronchoscopy-related service.
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AMA Comment
An AMA explanation describing the intended CPT framing of the procedure and the level of examination involved.
What You Will Learn
- How CPT guidance discusses respiratory system endoscopy documentation
- What type of procedural scope the consultation addresses
- How the article frames the distinction between limited visualization and a more complete examination
- Why respiratory endoscopy documentation detail is important for CPT interpretation
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Compliance staff
- Physician documentation staff
- Respiratory care documentation teams
Codes Discussed
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