AMA CPT® Assistant - 2014 Issue 3 (March)
Surgery: Respiratory System [(Q&A)] (March 2014)
March 2014 page 14 Surgery: Respiratory System Question: If the patient had a pleural catheter placed last week (reported with code 32550) and is returning to the hospital clinic for a follow up, how is the draining off of the pleural fluid while the patient is in the clinic for follow-up reported? Answer: There is no specific CPT code to describe emptying the pleural catheter fluid drainage container. This procedure would be included in an appropriate level of evaluation and management (E/M) code when performed by the physician. If the service is performed by the nurse and emptying the...
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Article Overview
This March 2014 CPT Assistant Q&A addresses a respiratory-system follow-up scenario involving pleural catheter drainage management and how the service is generally categorized in outpatient reporting. It is aimed at coders, billers, and clinic staff who need to understand the topic area, the type of CPT guidance discussed, and the role of payer-specific reporting policies. The article is useful for anyone reviewing outpatient follow-up services related to pleural catheter care and evaluation-and-management documentation.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers decide whether the article is relevant to outpatient respiratory follow-up coding and payer reporting questions involving pleural catheter care and related E/M services.
Article Sections
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March 2014 page 14
A brief question-and-answer discussion centered on a respiratory-system follow-up service in a clinic setting and the CPT guidance associated with reporting the encounter.
What You Will Learn
- The article’s topic area within respiratory-system coding guidance.
- How the Q&A frames follow-up care in an outpatient clinic context.
- Why payer-specific reporting policies may be relevant to this type of service.
- The general role of evaluation-and-management coding in the scenario discussed.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Physician practice staff
- Outpatient clinic personnel
Codes Discussed
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