How To Use CPT Code 31661

CPT 31661 describes the procedure known as bronchial thermoplasty, which involves the use of radiofrequency energy to treat airway muscles in the bronchi. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 31661?

CPT 31661 is a code used to describe the bronchial thermoplasty procedure. This procedure involves the use of radiofrequency energy to treat the airway muscles in the bronchi. It is typically performed on patients with conditions such as severe asthma.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 31661 is: ‘Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial thermoplasty, 2 or more lobes.’

3. Procedure

1. The patient is brought into the endoscopy suite and administered adequate anesthesia.
2. The healthcare provider inserts a rigid or flexible bronchoscope through the nose or mouth to examine the patient’s airways for abnormalities.
3. Fluoroscopic guidance, or live X-ray, may be used during the procedure.
4. A radiofrequency catheter is inserted and pushed until it touches the airway wall.
5. Therapeutic radiofrequency energy is delivered to the airway muscles in two or more lobes of the lungs.
6. After the treatment, the radiofrequency catheter and bronchoscope are slowly removed.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 31661 is performed on patients with conditions such as severe asthma. It is used when the provider treats two or more lobes of the lungs during the bronchial thermoplasty procedure.

5. When to use CPT code 31661

CPT code 31661 should be used when a healthcare provider performs bronchial thermoplasty on two or more lobes of the lungs. It is important to note that this code is not an add-on code and does not require a primary procedure code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 31661, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s condition and the need for bronchial thermoplasty
• Details of the procedure, including the use of fluoroscopic guidance
• Number of lobes treated
• Date and duration of the procedure
• Any complications or adverse events
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 31661, ensure that the procedure involves the use of radiofrequency energy to treat airway muscles in two or more lobes of the lungs. It is important to follow the specific guidelines for reporting this code and to not report it with other codes that are not applicable.

8. Historical information

CPT 31661 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2013. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider performs bronchial thermoplasty on two lobes of the lungs to treat a patient with severe asthma.
2. During a bronchial thermoplasty procedure, a radiofrequency catheter is used to treat the airway muscles in three lobes of the lungs for a patient with chronic respiratory issues.
3. A healthcare provider performs bronchial thermoplasty on four lobes of the lungs to alleviate symptoms in a patient with severe asthma.
4. During a bronchial thermoplasty procedure, a radiofrequency catheter is used to treat the airway muscles in two lobes of the lungs for a patient with recurrent bronchial infections.
5. A healthcare provider performs bronchial thermoplasty on three lobes of the lungs to improve lung function in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
6. During a bronchial thermoplasty procedure, a radiofrequency catheter is used to treat the airway muscles in four lobes of the lungs for a patient with uncontrolled asthma.
7. A healthcare provider performs bronchial thermoplasty on two lobes of the lungs to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks in a pediatric patient.
8. During a bronchial thermoplasty procedure, a radiofrequency catheter is used to treat the airway muscles in three lobes of the lungs for a patient with exercise-induced asthma.
9. A healthcare provider performs bronchial thermoplasty on four lobes of the lungs to improve respiratory function in a patient with severe bronchitis.
10. During a bronchial thermoplasty procedure, a radiofrequency catheter is used to treat the airway muscles in two lobes of the lungs for a patient with refractory asthma.