Summary & Overview
CPT 31622: Diagnostic Bronchoscopy for Airway Visualization
CPT code 31622 represents a diagnostic bronchoscopy — a procedure using rigid or flexible endoscopy to inspect the tracheobronchial tree, often with fluoroscopic guidance and optional cell washing for cytology. This code is nationally relevant because bronchoscopy is a core diagnostic tool for a range of pulmonary conditions, including infection, inflammation, and suspected malignancy, and it frequently appears on hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical service lines. Payers commonly covering services of this type include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will learn the clinical context in which 31622 is used, typical sites of service, common billing considerations, and how this code fits into procedural workflows. The publication outlines benchmarks and payment considerations across major payers, highlights typical service settings for diagnostic bronchoscopy, and summarizes policy or coding clarifications affecting use of the code. Data limitations: where input fields were not provided, the publication notes that specific taxonomy, ICD-10 pairings, and related code lists are not available in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 31622 describes a diagnostic rigid or flexible bronchoscopy used to visualize the airways and evaluate suspected lung disease. The procedure may include fluoroscopic guidance and may involve cell washing to obtain cytologic samples of suspicious areas.
Service Type: Diagnostic bronchoscopy
Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgery center, or endoscopy suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old patient with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with chronic cough, hemoptysis, and an abnormal chest CT showing a 2.5 cm endobronchial mass in the right mainstem bronchus. The pulmonologist schedules a diagnostic bronchoscopy to visualize the airway, obtain targeted samples, and perform bronchial washings or brushings for cytology. The procedure is performed in an operating room or endoscopy suite under moderate sedation or general anesthesia depending on patient comorbidities. During the visit, the provider documents informed consent, reviews anticoagulation status, performs pre-procedure airway assessment, and confirms imaging correlations. Rigid or flexible bronchoscopy is advanced to the level of the lesion; inspection is carried out and washings/brushings are obtained. Fluoroscopic guidance may be used if localization of a peripheral lesion is required. Post-procedure, the patient is monitored in a recovery area for airway complications and discharged home or admitted if complications or advanced therapy are needed.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing the physician’s interpretation or performance separate from technical facility services. |
53 |