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Section: |
Diagnostic Medical |
Number: |
M-19 |
Topic: |
Pulmonary Function Studies |
Effective Date: |
August 23, 2010 |
Issued Date: |
August 23, 2010 |
Date Last Reviewed: |
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General Policy Guidelines
Indications and Limitations of Coverage
Pulmonary Function Studies Claims reporting only "Pulmonary function studies" will be processed under procedure code 94010. When a physician reports a "complete spirometry" (code 94010) and itemized charges for one or more of the following procedures, the charges will be combined and processed under code 94010. No additional allowance will be made unless they are performed independently.
- Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate (MEFR) also known as Forced Expiratory
Flow (FEF 200-1200), 94799;
- Maximal Mid Expiratory Flow Rate (MMEFR) also known as Forced Expiratory FEF 25-75), 94150;
- Maximal breathing capacity, maximal voluntary ventilation, 94200;
- Vital capacity, total, 94150;
- Vital capacity screening tests: Total capacity with timed forced expiratory volume (state duration), and peak flow rate, 94150;
- Various Forced Expiratory Volume studies such as FEV1, FEV1%, FEV2, or FEV3, 94799
- Respiratory flow volume loop, 94375.
Modifier 59 may be reported with a respiratory flow volume loop test to identify it as distinct or independent from a complete spirometry performed on the same day. When modifier 59 is reported, the patient’s records must clearly document that a respiratory flow volume loop test was done in addition to a complete spirometry.
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) using a Wright Peak Flow Meter is frequently done as a separate procedure apart from complete spirometry. If reported, payment will be made under procedure code S8110.
Claims reporting bronchodilation responsiveness will be processed under procedure code 94060. A complete spirometry is included in this procedure; therefore, if an itemized charge is reported for spirometry when performed in conjunction with bronchodilation responsiveness, the charges will be combined and processed under code 94060.
Patient Initiated Spirometry Patient initiated spirometry will be reimbursed only when indicated for the following conditions:
Any patient utilizing this service must be mentally and physically capable of performing this test independently.
For asthmatic patients utilizing this service, the medical record must clearly delineate the above criteria.
The following codes are used to report patient initiated spirometry:
- Code 94014 describes the global service (i.e., both the professional and technical components of the service);
- Code 94015 describes only the technical component of the service, including recording, hook-up, reinforced education, data transmission, data capture, trend analysis, and periodic recalibration;
- Code 94016 describes only the physician (professional) component of the service.
Patient initiated spirometry performed for all other conditions is considered not medically necessary. A participating, preferred, or network provider cannot bill the member for the denied service unless the provider has given advance written notice, informing the member that the service may be deemed not medically necessary and providing an estimate of the cost. The member must agree in writing to assume financial responsibility, in advance of receiving the service. The signed agreement should be maintained in the provider's records.
- NOTE:
- A spirometer (A9284, E0487) is included in the professional service and, therefore, is not eligible for separate reimbursement. A participating, preferred, or network provider cannot bill the member for the denied service.
Description
Pulmonary Function Studies Pulmonary function studies is a categorical term for diagnostic tests performed to determine how the lungs are functioning.
Patient Initiated Spirometry Transtelephonic spirometry, also known as patient initiated spirometry, is a method of obtaining ongoing spirometric analysis of lung function. Transtelephonic spirometry requires the patient to perform the spirometry based on time intervals or criteria predetermined by the physician. The results are stored in a small computer that is part of the spirometer. The data is downloaded via modem from the spirometer's computer to another computer. The data is then trended and analyzed by the provider to identify problems. This service includes all measurements, transmissions and interpretations over a 30-day period. |
- NOTE:
- This policy is designed to address medical guidelines that are appropriate for the majority of individuals with a particular disease, illness, or condition. Each person's unique clinical circumstances may warrant individual consideration, based on review of applicable medical records.
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Procedure Codes
94010 | 94014 | 94015 | 94016 | 94060 | 94150 |
94200 | 94375 | 94799 | A9284 | E0487 | S8110 |
Traditional Guidelines
FEP Guidelines
This medical policy may not apply to FEP. Medical policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract. Benefits are determined by the Federal Employee Program. |
PPO Guidelines
Managed Care POS Guidelines
Publications
References
How Accurate is Spirometry at Predicting Restrictive Pulmonary Impairment?, Chest, Vol. 115, No. 3, March 1999
Monitoring Progress After Lung Transplantation From Home-Patient Adherence, JMed Eng Tech, Vol. 20, No. 6, November - December 1996
The Effectiveness of an Interactive Electronic Lung Function Monitoring System in the Total Management of Refractory Asthma, Disease Management Health Outcomes, Vol. 3, No. 2, February 1998
Staging of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome Using Home Spirometry, Chest, Vol. 116, No. 1, July 1999
New Developments in the Home Monitoring of Asthma, The Internet Journal of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, www.ispub.com/journals/IJAAI, Vol. 11, No. 1
Internet-Based Home Asthma Telemonitoring, Chest, Vol. 117, 2000
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View Previous Versions
Table Attachment
Text Attachment
Procedure Code Attachments
Diagnosis Codes
For Patient Initiated Spirometry, procedure codes 94014, 94015, 94016, A9284, E0487:
491.8 | 493.00-493.02 | 493.10-493.12 | 493.20-493.22 |
493.90-493.92 | 996.84 | V42.6 | |
Glossary
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This policy is designed to address medical guidelines that are appropriate for the majority of individuals with a particular disease, illness, or condition. Each person's unique clinical circumstances may warrant individual consideration, based on review of applicable medical records.
Medical policies are designed to supplement the terms of a member's contract. The member's contract defines the benefits available; therefore, medical policies should not be construed as overriding specific contract language. In the event of conflict, the contract shall govern.
Medical policies do not constitute medical advice, nor the practice of medicine. Rather, such policies are intended only to establish general guidelines for coverage and reimbursement under Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Application of a medical policy to determine coverage in an individual instance is not intended and shall not be construed to supercede the professional judgment of a treating provider. In all situations, the treating provider must use his/her professional judgment to provide care he/she believes to be in the best interest of the patient, and the provider and patient remain responsible for all treatment decisions.
Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield (MSBCBS) retains the right to review and update its medical policy guidelines at its sole discretion. These guidelines are the proprietary information of MSBCBS. Any sale, copying or dissemination of the medical policies is prohibited; however, limited copying of medical policies is permitted for individual use.
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