How To Use CPT Code 94690

CPT 94690 describes the procedure for oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 94690?

CPT 94690 can be used to describe the procedure for oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest. This code is used when a provider collects the patient’s expired air in a laboratory setting and analyzes the data to assess the patient’s respiratory status. The test is often performed to evaluate patients with bronchial allergy or hypersensitivity, bacterial lung infections, or pulmonary tumors.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 94690 is: ‘Oxygen uptake, expired gas analysis; rest, indirect (separate procedure).’ There are no additional notes or modifiers specified for this code.

3. Procedure

1. The provider collects the patient’s expired breath in a laboratory setting.
2. The expired air is analyzed to assess the patient’s respiratory status.
3. The provider measures the mass and volume of the expired breath to determine the oxygen content of the respiratory gas.
4. This procedure, known as indirect calorimetry, is used to estimate the patient’s energy expenditure at rest.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 94690 is typically performed on patients with specific respiratory conditions or concerns. It is commonly used to evaluate patients with bronchial allergy or hypersensitivity, bacterial lung infections, or pulmonary tumors. The procedure is performed by a qualified provider in a laboratory setting.

5. When to use CPT code 94690

CPT code 94690 should be used when a provider performs oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest. This code is specifically for the indirect measurement of oxygen content in the patient’s expired respiratory gas. It should not be used for other types of respiratory tests or procedures.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 94690, the provider must document the following information:

• Reason for performing the test, such as evaluation of bronchial allergy or hypersensitivity, bacterial lung infections, or pulmonary tumors
• Date and time of the procedure
• Results of the analysis, including the measured mass and volume of the expired breath and the estimated energy expenditure at rest
• Signature of the provider who performed the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 94690, ensure that the procedure is performed for oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting this code with other codes. However, it is important to follow any applicable bundling or unbundling rules and to accurately report the services provided.

8. Historical information

CPT 94690 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A provider performs oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest to evaluate a patient with suspected bronchial allergy.
2. A patient with a bacterial lung infection undergoes oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest to assess their respiratory status.
3. A provider performs the procedure on a patient with a pulmonary tumor to evaluate their respiratory function.
4. A provider uses CPT 94690 to estimate the energy expenditure at rest for a patient with respiratory concerns.
5. A provider performs oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest on a patient with suspected hypersensitivity to assess their respiratory function.
6. A patient with chronic respiratory symptoms undergoes the procedure to evaluate their respiratory status.
7. A provider performs oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest on a patient with a history of pulmonary disease to assess their respiratory function.
8. A patient with unexplained respiratory symptoms undergoes the procedure to evaluate their respiratory status.
9. A provider uses CPT 94690 to estimate the energy expenditure at rest for a patient with suspected respiratory abnormalities.
10. A patient with a history of respiratory allergies undergoes oxygen uptake and expired gas analysis at rest to assess their respiratory function.