CPT® 2016: Implement Code Changes for Your Bronchial and Mediastinal Scope Cases

Why This Topic Matters

These changes affect how scope-based thoracic procedures and related pulmonary services are documented and reported. Staying current helps coding staff recognize revised code families, avoid use of deleted codes, and align reporting with the 2016 CPT framework.

Article Sections

1. Greet New EBUS Codes And Say Goodbye to +31620

   Introduces the CPT 2016 endobronchial ultrasound changes for bronchoscopy-related services. It discusses the shift from the prior coding structure to a revised code set and notes the deletion of an older add-on code.

2. Read Up On 2 New Mediastinoscopy Codes

   Covers the CPT 2016 mediastinoscopy code revisions and the addition of more specific reporting options. It also explains the relationship between the new codes and a deleted predecessor code.

3. Don’t Overlook These Other Pulmonary Code Changes

   Summarizes additional pulmonary-related CPT 2016 updates outside the main scope procedures. This section includes a replacement for a deleted temporary code and minor descriptor language changes to bronchoscopy add-on codes.