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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSurgical, Imaging Devices and GraftsHCPCS hcpcs-c1601-disposable-pulmonary-endoscope-imaging
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    HCPCS Level II C1601: Single-Use Pulmonary Imaging/Illumination Endoscope

    HCPCS Level II code C1601 describes a single-use, insertable pulmonary endoscope designed for imaging and illumination during bronchoscopic procedures; the service type is a disposable pulmonary imaging/illumination device used during endoscopic airway evaluation or intervention, and the typical site of service is an outpatient procedure area, bronchoscopy suite, or hospital operating room where pulmonary endoscopy is performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing), Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement), Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty).

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    Table of contents

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    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 64-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and worsening focal wheeze presents to a hospital pulmonary clinic for evaluation of suspected endobronchial lesion. The interventional pulmonology team schedules a diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy using a single-use pulmonary imaging/illumination endoscope (C1601) to visualize the tracheobronchial tree, obtain targeted bronchial washings and biopsies, and assist localization for subsequent sampling. The patient arrives to the ambulatory procedure suite, is screened for anesthesia risk, and receives moderate sedation administered by an anesthesia professional or supervised by the proceduralist per institutional policy. The sterile, disposable pulmonary endoscope is opened at the procedure table, inserted transorally, and advanced to the area of concern under direct video visualization. The team documents indications, findings (mucosal irregularity, endobronchial mass, or secretions), specimens collected, and any immediate complications (bleeding, hypoxia). Post-procedure, the patient is monitored in recovery for sedation-related events and receives discharge instructions. Billing captures the single-use insertable pulmonary imaging/illumination device with code C1601 in addition to the bronchoscopy procedural codes, specimen handling, and anesthesia services as applicable. Common payors include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    31622Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with diagnostic collection (bronchial or transbronchial biopsy)Commonly performed concurrently with insertion of a single-use pulmonary imaging endoscope for visualization and tissue acquisition.
    31623Bronchoscopy, with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)Often performed during the same procedure to obtain cytology and microbiology samples when imaging suggests infection or diffuse processes.
    31628Bronchoscopy, with transbronchial lung biopsy(s)Performed when peripheral or parenchymal lesions require sampling guided by bronchoscopic visualization or navigation.
    31575Laryngoscopy, direct; with biopsyMay be performed when upper airway visualization is required in conjunction with pulmonary endoscopy for proximal lesions.
    00332Anesthesia for procedures on lower respiratory tract; bronchoscopic proceduresBilled for anesthesia services when moderate sedation or general anesthesia is provided during bronchoscopy procedures.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    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…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    367A00000XAdvanced Practice MidwifeAdvanced practice midwifery encompasses the independent provision of care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period; sexual and reproduc…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207VH0002XHospice and Palliative Medicine (Obstetrics & Gynecology) PhysicianAn obstetrician/gynecologist with special knowledge and skills to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illness…
    175L00000XHomeopathA provider who is educated and trained in a system of therapeutics in which diseases are treated by drugs which are capable of producing in healthy pe…
    364SW0102XWomen's Health Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    163WX0002XHigh-Risk Obstetric Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    2080B0002XPediatric Obesity Medicine PhysicianA physician who specializes in the treatment of obesity demonstrates competency in and a thorough understanding of the treatment of obesity and the ge…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    J12.9Viral pneumonia, unspecified
    J18.9Pneumonia, unspecified organism
    J20.9Acute bronchitis, unspecified
    J44.1Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation
    J44.9Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified
    J45.909Unspecified asthma, uncomplicated
    J69.0Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
    J80Acute respiratory distress syndrome
    J84.10Pulmonary fibrosis, unspecified
    J84.112Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Shoulder Arthroplasty (Total, Partial, Reverse, Revision and Resurfacing)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Hip Arthroplasty (partial and total hip replacement)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Osteochondral Grafting of the Kneeuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Resurfacinguniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Fusion (arthrodesis) with decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion or Stabilizationuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Vertebroplasty/Mechanical Vertebral Augmentation and Percutaneous Sacroplastyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Shoulder Open ProceduresPremera Bluecross2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-C1600-INTRAVASCULAR-LESION-PREPARATION-BLADED-CATHETER

    HCPCS Level II C1600: Transluminal Lesion Preparation Bladed Sheathed Catheter

    HCPCS-C1602-ABSORBABLE-ANTIMICROBIAL-BONE-VOID-FILLER-IMPLANTABLE

    HCPCS C1602: Absorbable Antimicrobial-Eluting Bone Void Filler

    HCPCS-C1603-IVC-FILTER-RETRIEVAL-LASER-DEVICE

    HCPCS Level II C1603: Laser Retrieval Device for IVC Filter

    HCPCS-C1604-TRANSMURAL-TRANSVENOUS-ARTERIAL-BYPASS-GRAFT-IMPLANTABLE

    HCPCS C1604: Graft, Transmural Transvenous Arterial Bypass (Implantable)

    HCPCS-C1605-LEADLESS-DUAL-CHAMBER-PACEMAKER-IMPLANTATION

    HCPCS C1605: Leadless Dual-Chamber Pacemaker Implantation

    HCPCS-C1606-ENDOSCOPIC-ULTRASOUND-ADAPTER-DISPOSABLE

    HCPCS C1606: Adapter for Ultrasound Attachment to Upper GI Endoscope

    HCPCS-C1607-IMPLANTABLE-RECHARGEABLE-NEUROSTIMULATOR-INTEGRATED

    HCPCS Level II C1607: Implantable Rechargeable Neurostimulator

    HCPCS-C1608-TOTAL-DUAL-MOBILITY-FIRST-CARPOMETACARPAL-PROSTHESIS

    HCPCS Level II C1608: Total Dual Mobility Prosthesis, First CMC Joint

    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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