AMA CPT® Assistant - 2013 Issue 3 (March)
Respiratory System: Trachea and Bronchi Code Changes for 2013 (March 2013)
March 2013 pages 8-9 Respiratory System: Trachea and Bronchi Code Changes for 2013 Bronchial Valves and Thermoplasy Bronchoscopy is an endoscopic technique that uses a rigid or flexible fiberoptic instrument for the visual examination of the trachea as well as the main and segmental bronchi. The procedure can be associated with other procedures, for example, to obtain samples of secretions or tissue from these areas. The scope can be inserted through the nose, mouth, endotracheal tube, or tracheostomy site. Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be performed on a patient on assisted ventilation by passing the endoscope through the endotracheal or...
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Article Overview
This premium article explains 2013 CPT changes affecting bronchoscopy-related services in the trachea and bronchi. It is aimed at coders, billers, compliance staff, and clinical documentation teams who need to understand how the updated guidance organizes bronchial valve and bronchial thermoplasty reporting, along with related notes, add-on structure, and a brief FAQ. The article also discusses the broader bronchoscopy code family and the context for the changes as published in CPT Assistant.
Why This Topic Matters
The page helps readers identify which bronchoscopy-related updates were introduced for 2013 and how the article frames the affected CPT code family. It is useful for staying current with code set revisions, supporting accurate chart review, and recognizing where accompanying guidance and parentheticals were added.
Article Sections
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March 2013 pages 8-9
A brief source locator for the article’s publication context and page span.
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Overview of Changes
A high-level summary of the 2013 CPT updates affecting bronchoscopy-related services in the trachea and bronchi subsection.
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New Guidelines
General guidance added with the code-set update, including bronchoscopy-related reporting structure and referenced code families.
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Bronchial Valve Services
Discussion of the bronchoscopy service category focused on bronchial valve placement and removal, along with related notes and add-on structure.
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Clinical Example (31647)
A sample scenario illustrating one of the bronchial valve service codes in the updated section.
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Clinical Example (31651)
A sample scenario illustrating an additional-lobe bronchial valve service in the updated section.
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Clinical Example (31648)
A sample scenario illustrating removal of bronchial valve(s) from the initial lobe.
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Clinical Example (31649)
A sample scenario illustrating removal of bronchial valve(s) from an additional lobe.
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Thermoplasty Services
Discussion of bronchoscopy-based thermoplasty services included in the 2013 CPT update.
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Clinical Example (31660)
A sample scenario illustrating one of the thermoplasty service codes.
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Clinical Example (31661)
A sample scenario illustrating the multi-lobe thermoplasty service code.
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Coding Tip
A brief coding note tied to bronchoscopy services in the reviewed code family.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A question-and-answer section addressing broad reporting characteristics for bronchoscopy codes in the series.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames 2013 CPT changes for bronchoscopy-related services
- Which broad bronchoscopy service categories were updated in the trachea and bronchi subsection
- What kinds of supplementary notes and guidance accompany the updated code family
- How the article organizes examples, tips, and FAQ content around the update
- What general coding topics are addressed for bronchial valve and thermoplasty services
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Physician advisors
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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