tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2008 Issue 5

Reader Questions: Re-Intubation Code Depends on Time, Location

Question: A patient underwent tracheostomy one week ago. A week later, the physician had difficulties oxygenating the patient and had to re-intubate her. Should I report 31502 or 31899 for the tube change? Colorado Subscriber Answer: You should report 31502 (Tracheotomy tube change prior to establishment of fistula tract) only when the surgeon changes a tracheostomy tube before the fistula tract has become established. In other words, if the physician removes the indwelling tube and replaces it before the patient has had sufficient healing time to allow a fistula tract to form, you would claim 31502. CPT does not...

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