ICD-10 Guide

Bronchoscopy

ICD-10 Coding for Bronchoscopy(0BC68ZZ, 31622)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPulmonology

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Bronchoscopy?

Essential facts and insights about Bronchoscopy

Key Clinical Considerations:

Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, hemoptysis
Chest X-ray, CT scan, pulmonary function tests
Decreased breath sounds, wheezing, abnormal lung auscultation

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history, indication for procedure, findings during bronchoscopy
ICD-10-CM codes, CPT codes for bronchoscopy procedures
Example: 'Bronchoscopy performed for evaluation of persistent cough and hemoptysis.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Follow guidelines for coding based on the type of bronchoscopy (diagnostic vs therapeutic).
Common errors include incorrect coding of complications or failure to document indications.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Conditions such as lung cancer not requiring bronchoscopy for diagnosis.
Alternative codes for other respiratory procedures like thoracentesis.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Pulmonology

Specialty Applications

Patients with respiratory symptoms, lung cancer screening, and chronic lung diseases.
Outpatient clinics, hospitals, and specialized pulmonary care centers.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Include patient history, indication, procedure details, and findings.

Billing considerations?

Ensure correct CPT codes are used and verify insurance coverage for bronchoscopy.

Bronchoscopy

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Bronchoscopy

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?