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The CPT® Code 94644 refers to the procedure of continuous inhalation treatment with aerosol medication specifically designed for acute airway obstruction, and it is applicable for the first hour of treatment. This procedure is commonly known as continuous bronchodilator therapy (CBT). During this treatment, the patient receives a bronchodilator medication that is aerosolized, meaning it is converted into fine particles suspended in a gaseous propellant. When the aerosol pressure is released, the medication is inhaled into the lungs as a fine spray. The primary action of the bronchodilator is to relax the smooth muscle surrounding the bronchioles and lung tissue, which may have constricted due to conditions such as an asthma attack or hypersensitivity reaction, leading to significant restriction of airflow. Throughout the administration of the aerosolized medication, healthcare providers perform periodic assessments to monitor the patient's response to the treatment. Adjustments to the dosage may be made as necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Once the symptoms of acute airway obstruction have been alleviated, the inhalation treatment is appropriately discontinued. For billing purposes, code 94644 is utilized for the initial hour of continuous inhalation treatment, while code 94645 is designated for each additional hour of treatment beyond the first hour.
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The procedure represented by CPT® Code 94644 is indicated for patients experiencing acute airway obstruction. This condition may arise from various underlying issues, including but not limited to:
The procedure for CPT® Code 94644 involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of acute airway obstruction:
After the completion of the continuous inhalation treatment, the patient is typically monitored for a short period to ensure that the symptoms do not recur and that the patient remains stable. Healthcare providers may conduct follow-up assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and determine if additional interventions are necessary. Patients may also receive education on managing their condition, including the use of inhalers or other medications, and strategies to avoid triggers that could lead to future episodes of airway obstruction.
| Short Descr | CBT 1ST HOUR | Medium Descr | CONTINUOUS INHALATION TREATMENT 1ST HR | Long Descr | Continuous inhalation treatment with aerosol medication for acute airway obstruction; first hour | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 5 - Incident To Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 1 - Medical Care | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | M5D - Specialist - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 217 - Other respiratory therapy |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 94645 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N CPT Assistant Article Continuous inhalation treatment with aerosol medication for acute airway obstruction; each additional hour (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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. | 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
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