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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy Procedures on the Trachea and BronchiCPT cpt-31628-transbronchial-biopsy-bronchoscopy-single-lobe
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    CPT 31628: Transbronchial Biopsy of Single Lobe via Bronchoscopy

    Medicare pays $424 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 31628 describes transbronchial biopsy of one pulmonary lobe performed with a rigid or flexible bronchoscope, optionally using fluoroscopic guidance; this is an endoscopic diagnostic procedure (bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy) typically performed by pulmonologists in an ambulatory surgery center, hospital outpatient department, or inpatient setting when tissue sampling from a single lobe is required.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood Pressure, Cardiology - Ivabradine, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with a 40-pack-year smoking history and progressive unexplained hemoptysis and a new peripheral lung nodule on chest CT is referred for diagnostic bronchoscopy. The pulmonologist schedules a transbronchial biopsy using a flexible bronchoscope with possible fluoroscopic guidance to obtain tissue from a single lobe for histology and microbiology. Pre-procedure workflow includes informed consent, coagulation assessment, withholding antiplatelet/anticoagulant medications as indicated, pre-procedure imaging review, and anesthesia planning (moderate sedation or general anesthesia). In the procedure suite (hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgery center, or inpatient operating room), the provider performs airway inspection, advances the bronchoscope into the target lobe, and obtains multiple transbronchial biopsy specimens. Fluoroscopy may be used to guide sampling and reduce pneumothorax risk. Post-procedure monitoring includes observation for bleeding, pneumothorax assessment with chest radiograph if clinically indicated, recovery from sedation, and pathology/clinical follow-up.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31622Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial alveolar lavagePerformed before or during bronchoscopy for cytology and microbiology sampling complementary to tissue biopsy
    31623Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial lung biopsy, with forceps (separate from 31628 which is for single lobe)Alternative code for transbronchial biopsy technique or when multiple lobes/sampling approach differs; code selection depends on specific technique and documentation
    31635Bronchoscopy with transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA)Performed in the same session when lymph node sampling is required in addition to parenchymal biopsy
    71020Radiologic examination, chest; single view, frontalOften obtained post-procedure to evaluate for pneumothorax after transbronchial biopsy
    94060Bronchoscopy, physician interpretation only (pulmonary function testing related codes vary)Used when only interpretation services are billed separately for associated testing or imaging interpretations
    31628Transbronchial biopsy, single lobePrimary procedure described; included here for reference in workflow

    Related Modifiers

    12 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    207RP1001X
    207RC0000X
    2080P0207X
    207L00000X
    2080I0007X
    103TA0700X
    175M00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood PressureBluecross Idaho2026-11-01
    Cardiology - IvabradineCigna2026-10-15
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Ventricular Assist DeviceUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-09-17
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesuniverahealthcare2026-09-17
    Cardiac Omnibus CodesCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-31615-TRACHEOBRONCHOSCOPY-THROUGH-TRACHEAL-OPENING

    CPT 31615: Tracheobronchoscopy via Tracheostomy

    CPT-31622-DIAGNOSTIC-BRONCHOSCOPY-AIRWAY-VISUALIZATION

    CPT 31622: Diagnostic Rigid or Flexible Bronchoscopy

    CPT-31623-BRONCHOSCOPIC-BRUSHING-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 31623: Bronchoscopic Brushing or Protected Brushing

    CPT-31624-BRONCHIAL-ALVEOLAR-LAVAGE-BRONCHOSCOPY

    CPT 31624: Bronchial Alveolar Lavage via Bronchoscopy

    CPT-31625-BRONCHIAL-ENDOBRONCHIAL-BIOPSY-BRONCHOSCOPY

    CPT 31625: Bronchial or Endobronchial Biopsy via Bronchoscopy

    CPT-31626-BRONCHOSCOPIC-MARKER-PLACEMENT

    CPT 31626: Bronchoscopic Marker Placement for Surgical Localization

    CPT-31627-IMAGE-GUIDED-BRONCHOSCOPIC-NAVIGATION

    CPT 31627: Image-Guided Navigation for Bronchoscopy

    CPT-31629-TRANSBRONCHIAL-NEEDLE-ASPIRATION-BRONCHOSCOPIC-BIOPSY

    CPT 31629: Transbronchial Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Trachea/Bronchus

    CPT-31630-THERAPEUTIC-BRONCHOSCOPY-AIRWAY-DILATION

    CPT 31630: Tracheal/Tracheobronchial Dilation via Bronchoscopy

    CPT-31631-TRACHEAL-STENT-PLACEMENT-BRONCHOSCOPY

    CPT 31631: Bronchoscopy with Tracheal Stent Placement

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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