How To Use CPT Code 31624

CPT 31624 is a code for bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage, which may include fluoroscopic guidance. This article will cover topics such as the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, when to use the code, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 31624 procedures.

1. What is CPT 31624?

CPT 31624 is a medical code used to describe a bronchoscopy procedure with bronchial alveolar lavage, which may include the use of fluoroscopic guidance. This procedure involves the use of a rigid or flexible bronchoscope to examine the bronchial airways and collect cells from the alveoli for further analysis.

2. 31624 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 31624 is: “Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial alveolar lavage.”

3. Procedure

The 31624 procedure involves the following steps:

1. The patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized.
2. The provider inserts the bronchoscope through the nose or mouth and moves the scope down into the throat.
3. The provider advances the scope to the bronchus, the main passageway to the lung.
4. The provider examines the mucus lining or covering of the airways and looks for any abnormalities that may be present.
5. The provider passes saline solution through the tube to wash cells from the air sacs at the end of the bronchioles. This may involve repeated instillations.
6. The provider aspirates the fluid for inspection.
7. Fluoroscopic guidance may be used during the procedure, allowing the provider to view body structures and instruments on a monitor.
8. The provider removes the scope to complete the procedure.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients who are eligible to receive CPT code 31624 services are those who require a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. This may include patients with suspected lung infections, interstitial lung diseases, or malignancies. The procedure may also be performed to evaluate lung transplant recipients or to diagnose unexplained respiratory symptoms.

5. When to use CPT code 31624

It is appropriate to bill the 31624 CPT code when a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage is performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, and fluoroscopic guidance is used when necessary. The code should be used to accurately represent the services provided during the procedure and to ensure proper reimbursement for the provider.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 31624, the following information should be documented:

• Indication for the procedure, including the patient’s medical history and presenting symptoms.
• Details of the procedure, including the type of bronchoscope used (rigid or flexible), the use of fluoroscopic guidance, and the steps taken during the bronchial alveolar lavage.
• Findings from the procedure, such as any abnormalities observed in the airways or the results of the fluid analysis.
• Any complications or adverse events that occurred during the procedure.
• Post-procedure care and follow-up recommendations.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 31624, it is important to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules to ensure accurate reimbursement. Some tips for billing this code include:

• Ensure that the documentation supports the use of CPT 31624, including the indication for the procedure and the steps taken during the bronchoscopy and bronchial alveolar lavage.
• Verify that the code is billed in conjunction with any other applicable codes, such as anesthesia or additional procedures performed during the bronchoscopy.
• Review payer-specific guidelines and requirements for billing CPT 31624, as these may vary between insurance carriers.

8. Historical information

CPT 31624 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1999. Since then, there have been several updates to the code description, with the most recent change occurring on January 1, 2010. The previous descriptor was “Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with or without fluoroscopic guidance; with bronchial alveolar lavage.”

9. Similar codes to CPT 31624

There are several codes similar to CPT 31624, which differ based on the specific services provided during the bronchoscopy. These include:

• CPT 31622: A bronchoscopy without lavage or biopsy.
• CPT 31623: A bronchoscopy with brushing or washing of the bronchial airways.
• CPT 31625: A bronchoscopy with biopsy of the lung or bronchus.
• CPT 31626: A bronchoscopy with transbronchial needle aspiration.
• CPT 31628: A bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsy.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 31624 procedures:

1. A patient with suspected pneumonia undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to collect samples for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing.
2. A patient with a history of lung cancer undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to evaluate for recurrence or metastasis.
3. A patient with unexplained shortness of breath and cough undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to rule out an infectious or inflammatory process.
4. A lung transplant recipient undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to assess for signs of rejection or infection.
5. A patient with suspected interstitial lung disease undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to obtain samples for cytological and histological analysis.
6. A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to evaluate for possible infection or malignancy.
7. A patient with a persistent cough and hemoptysis undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to determine the cause of the symptoms.
8. A patient with a history of sarcoidosis undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to assess disease progression and response to treatment.
9. A patient with suspected bronchiectasis undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate for possible infection.
10. A patient with a history of tuberculosis undergoes a bronchoscopy with bronchial alveolar lavage to assess for disease recurrence or complications.