2025 CPT code 31622
Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System Feed
Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; diagnostic, with cell washing, when performed (separate procedure).
Modifiers such as 22 (increased procedural services), 52 (reduced services), 53 (discontinued procedure), and others may be applicable in certain circumstances.
Medical necessity must be established for all bronchoscopy procedures. The documentation should support the reason for the procedure, such as symptoms, imaging findings, or other diagnostic test results.
The physician prepares the patient and administers anesthesia, then inserts the bronchoscope through the nose or mouth and into the throat and bronchus. The physician visually examines the airways and may perform cell washing using saline solution. Fluoroscopic guidance may also be used.
In simple words: This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube or a rigid metal tube through your nose or mouth to examine your airways. The doctor may use a special x-ray technique called fluoroscopy for guidance and also collect a sample of cells for testing.
This code describes a diagnostic bronchoscopy procedure, which can be performed using either a rigid or flexible bronchoscope.It may include fluoroscopic guidance if necessary. The procedure also includes cell washing, a technique used to collect cells for examination. It is considered a separate procedure and should not be reported with other related procedures performed in the same anatomical region.
Example 1: A patient with a persistent cough undergoes flexible bronchoscopy with cell washing to rule out infection or malignancy., A patient with suspected airway obstruction undergoes rigid bronchoscopy with fluoroscopic guidance and cell washing., A patient with a foreign body lodged in the airway undergoes rigid bronchoscopy for removal, and cell washing is performed to assess for any associated inflammation or infection.
Documentation should include the type of bronchoscope used (rigid or flexible), the use of fluoroscopy (if performed), the performance of cell washing, and the findings of the procedure.
- Revenue Code: P8F
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Thoracic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center