title: Methacholine challenge testing: identifying its diagnostic role, testing, coding, and reimbursement.
abstract: Methacholine challenge testing (MCT), also sometimes described as bronchoprovocation testing, is widely performed for both research and diagnostic purposes. MCT is clinically useful when the patient presents with a history of symptoms suggesting asthma, but spirometry findings are normal. Typically, MCT is performed in a pulmonary function laboratory, a clinic, or a physician's office. MCT requires time, effort, and understanding. Two standard testing regimes are identified along with proper coding and reimbursement methodologies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Univeristies College of Medicine, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, OH, USA. sam@mypracticeconsultant.com
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Barreiro
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D016210:Methacholine Chloride