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Official Description

Vital capacity, total (separate procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 94150 refers to the measurement of vital capacity, which is a critical assessment of lung function. Vital capacity is defined as the maximum amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest possible breath. This measurement is typically obtained using a spirometry device, which includes a mouthpiece and tubing connected to a recording machine. During the procedure, the patient is instructed to inhale deeply and then exhale forcefully through the mouthpiece. The spirometer captures and displays the results, providing valuable data regarding the patient's respiratory health. The vital capacity measurement is not only a standalone figure; it is interpreted in conjunction with the patient's physiological characteristics such as height, weight, sex, age, and ethnicity. This comprehensive evaluation helps healthcare providers identify potential underlying lung conditions, assess respiratory function, and guide further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. The term "separate procedure" indicates that this measurement can be performed independently of other procedures, emphasizing its importance in respiratory assessment.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 94150 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of lung function is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the measurement of vital capacity:

  • Respiratory Symptoms Patients presenting with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, or wheezing may require vital capacity assessment to evaluate lung function.
  • Chronic Lung Diseases Individuals diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or interstitial lung disease may undergo this procedure to monitor disease progression and response to treatment.
  • Preoperative Assessment Vital capacity measurements are often performed as part of preoperative evaluations, particularly in patients undergoing thoracic or abdominal surgeries, to assess their respiratory reserve.
  • Occupational Health Evaluations Workers exposed to respiratory hazards may be evaluated for lung function to ensure their ability to perform job-related tasks safely.

2. Procedure

The procedure for measuring vital capacity using CPT® Code 94150 involves several key steps that ensure accurate and reliable results. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Preparation of the Spirometry Device The healthcare provider prepares the spirometry device by ensuring that it is calibrated and functioning correctly. A clean mouthpiece is attached to the spirometer to maintain hygiene and accuracy.
  • Patient Instruction The patient is instructed on how to perform the test. They are advised to take a deep breath in, filling their lungs completely, and then to exhale forcefully and completely through the mouthpiece. Proper technique is crucial for obtaining valid results.
  • Measurement of Vital Capacity As the patient exhales into the spirometer, the device measures the total volume of air expelled. This measurement is recorded and displayed, providing the vital capacity value.
  • Data Interpretation The recorded vital capacity is then interpreted in conjunction with the patient's demographic information, including height, weight, sex, age, and ethnicity, to assess whether the results fall within normal ranges or indicate potential lung dysfunction.

3. Post-Procedure

After the vital capacity measurement is completed, the patient may be provided with information regarding their results. Depending on the findings, further evaluation or follow-up may be recommended. Patients are typically advised to resume normal activities immediately following the procedure, as it is non-invasive and does not require any special recovery time. Healthcare providers may discuss the implications of the results with the patient, including any necessary next steps for further testing or treatment if abnormal lung function is indicated.

Short Descr VITAL CAPACITY TEST
Medium Descr VITAL CAPACITY TOTAL SEPARATE PROCEDURE
Long Descr Vital capacity, total (separate procedure)
Status Code Bundled Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Co-Surgeons (62) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Team Surgery (66) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
Type of Service (TOS) 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) T2D - Other tests - other
MUE 0
CCS Clinical Classification 38 - Other diagnostic procedures on lung and bronchus
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
25 Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59.
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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