Summary & Overview
HCPCS A9284: Spirometer, Non-Electronic, All Accessories
HCPCS Level II code A9284 represents a non-electronic spirometer and all included accessories, categorized as durable medical equipment for respiratory diagnostic testing. This device facilitates basic pulmonary function assessment where electronic recording is not required, supporting diagnosis and monitoring of obstructive and restrictive lung disease in outpatient and home settings. Nationally, reimbursement and coverage of DME respiratory devices influences access to basic pulmonary function testing across care settings and payers.
Key payers examined include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of coverage considerations, typical sites of service, and the clinical role of non-electronic spirometry. The publication summarizes benchmark payment context, common billing considerations, and relevant policy or coding clarifications affecting claims processing for non-electronic spirometers.
The report provides practical reference material: code definition, service-line placement, payer coverage landscape, and concise notes on billing patterns and documentation expectations. Data not available in the input is identified where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code A9284 describes a spirometer, non-electronic, includes all accessories. This item is a diagnostic respiratory device used to measure lung volumes and airflow through manual or mechanical means without electronic data capture.
Service Type: Durable medical equipment (DME) — diagnostic testing supply
Typical Site of Service: Outpatient clinics, physician offices, pulmonology practices, home health settings
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 55-year-old patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents to an outpatient pulmonary clinic for baseline and routine monitoring of lung function. The clinician orders spirometry using a non-electronic, hand-held spirometer (A9284) to obtain forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio. The clinical workflow includes obtaining informed consent, measuring height and weight for predicted values, coaching the patient through repeatable maximal expiratory efforts, recording best values from reproducible maneuvers, and interpreting results in the context of symptoms and prior studies. Infection control procedures and device calibration or verification (per clinic policy) are completed before testing. Results are documented in the medical record and used to guide pharmacologic therapy adjustments, smoking cessation counseling, or referral for full pulmonary function testing if indicated. Typical sites of service are outpatient clinics, physician offices, and community health centers where portable, non-electronic spirometry is acceptable for screening and routine monitoring.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When reporting only the professional interpretation component provided separately from equipment or facility services. |