2025 CPT code 31624
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System - Endoscopy Procedures on the Trachea and Bronchi Surgery Feed
Bronchoscopy (rigid or flexible), with bronchial alveolar lavage; includes fluoroscopic guidance if performed.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure.Consult current CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity for a bronchoscopy with BAL is established when there is a clinical indication to obtain a sample of lower respiratory tract secretions for diagnostic purposes, such as identifying pathogens in suspected infections, assessing inflammatory processes, detecting malignant cells, or evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.The decision to perform this procedure should be based on the patient's clinical presentation and relevant diagnostic tests.
The physician is responsible for inserting the bronchoscope, performing the lavage, collecting and interpreting samples, and managing any complications that arise during the procedure.Pre-operative preparation, anesthesia administration (if applicable) and post-operative care are the responsibility of other members of the healthcare team.
- Surgery
- Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System > Surgical Procedures on the Trachea and Bronchi > Endoscopy Procedures on the Trachea and Bronchi
In simple words: The doctor uses a thin, flexible tube (bronchoscope) to look inside the lungs' airways.A saline solution is used to rinse the lungs, and this fluid is then collected for testing to help diagnose lung problems. X-ray guidance may be used.
This procedure involves the insertion of a rigid or flexible bronchoscope into the airways via the nose or mouth to perform bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL). BAL is a process where saline solution is instilled into the bronchi and alveoli, then aspirated to collect cells and fluid for analysis.Fluoroscopic guidance may be utilized. The procedure includes examination of the airway lining for abnormalities.
Example 1: A patient presents with a suspected lung infection. A bronchoscopy with BAL is performed to collect a sample of fluid from the alveoli for microbiological analysis to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic treatment., A patient with a history of interstitial lung disease undergoes a bronchoscopy with BAL to assess disease progression and to monitor the response to treatment.The collected fluid is sent for cytological analysis., A patient experiencing unexplained hemoptysis (coughing up blood) undergoes a bronchoscopy with BAL to identify the source of bleeding and rule out underlying conditions such as lung cancer or infections.The lavage fluid is analyzed to detect blood and other abnormalities.
Complete medical history, including presenting symptoms, relevant past medical history, and allergies.Consent form for the procedure.Pre-operative assessment including vital signs and physical examination findings.Procedure report detailing the type of bronchoscope used, the amount of saline instilled, the volume of lavage fluid collected, and any significant findings during the examination.Pathology report, if applicable.Post-operative assessment including vital signs and any complications encountered.
** Accurate coding requires detailed documentation of the procedure and any associated findings.The use of fluoroscopy should be clearly documented.This code is specifically for BAL and does not include other bronchoscopic procedures.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Respiratory Medicine, Oncology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center