title: Endobronchial Ultrasound: Clinical Uses and Professional Reimbursements.
abstract: Endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) has become an invaluable tool in the diagnosis of patients with a variety of thoracic abnormalities. The majority of EBUS procedures are used to diagnose and stage mediastinal and hilar abnormalities, as well as peripheral pulmonary targets, with a probe-based technology. Nearly 1,000 articles have been written about its use and utility. New Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes have been introduced in 2016 to better capture the work and clinical use associated with the various types of EBUS procedures. The existing 31620 code has been deleted and replaced by three new codes: 31652, 31653, and 31654. These new codes have been through the valuation process, and the new rule for reimbursement has been active since January 1, 2016 with National Correct Coding Initiative correction as of April 1, 2016. The impact of these new codes will result in a net reduction in professional and technical reimbursement. This article describes the current use of EBUS and explains the current codes and professional reimbursement.
authors.affiliation: Section of Bronchoscopy, Respiratory Institute, Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, and Transplant Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH. Electronic address: gildeat@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Gildea
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Katina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nicolacakis
mesh_terms: D019160:Endosonography / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Current Procedural Terminology; EBUS; TBNA; bronchoscopy; professional reimbursement