Pulmonology CPT Codes in 2026: Spirometry, PFT, and Bronchoscopy Coding Guide

Author : Rojer Feder | Published On : 25 Aug 2026

Accurate pulmonology coding is essential for clean claims, appropriate reimbursement, and compliant medical billing. Pulmonary practices commonly report services such as spirometry, complete pulmonary function testing (PFT), lung-volume measurements, diffusion-capacity testing, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, biopsies, and advanced bronchoscopic procedures. In 2026, coders and billing teams must work from the current CPT code set, payer policies, National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits, and documentation requirements rather than relying on older code lists. The AMA states that the CPT 2026 code set became effective January 1, 2026 and includes thousands of codes, with annual revisions and corrections.

1. Understanding Pulmonology CPT Coding in 2026

Pulmonology CPT coding covers a broad range of diagnostic and procedural services used to evaluate respiratory disorders. Common coding areas include spirometry, bronchodilator testing, lung-volume measurement, airway-resistance testing, diffusion capacity, pulmonary stress testing, and bronchoscopy. A coder should never select a code solely because a procedure is commonly associated with a particular diagnosis. The code must correspond to what the provider actually performed and documented. CMS guidance emphasizes that respiratory services submitted for Medicare reimbursement need adequate medical-necessity and medical-record documentation. Because CPT is updated annually, practices should also verify the current-year code descriptors, guidelines, parenthetical instructions, and applicable payer policies before submitting claims.

2. Spirometry CPT Codes: 94010 and 94060

Spirometry is one of the most frequently reported pulmonary diagnostic services. CPT 94010 is commonly used for spirometry, including the graphic record and measurements associated with vital capacity and expiratory flow. CPT 94060 is used when spirometry is performed before and after administration of a bronchodilator as part of the evaluation. The distinction matters because a routine spirometry service should not automatically be reported as a bronchodilator-response study. Documentation should identify the testing performed, relevant measurements, and the clinical reason for the service. CMS respiratory-care guidance identifies 94010 and 94060 among pulmonary-function-related codes. Coders should verify the exact CPT descriptor and payer-specific requirements before billing.

3. Common Pulmonary Function Test CPT Codes

A pulmonary function test is not necessarily one single procedure. Different CPT codes represent different components of pulmonary physiology. Commonly encountered codes include 94726 for pulmonary function testing using plethysmography, 94727 for pulmonary function testing using gas methods, 94728 for airway resistance testing by oscillometry, and 94729 for diffusing capacity testing. CMS identifies these codes within its respiratory-care and pulmonary-function-testing guidance. The critical coding principle is to report the services that were actually performed and documented rather than automatically billing every component of a traditional “complete PFT.” A coder should compare the physician or testing report with the individual CPT descriptors and applicable payer rules.

4. Lung Volumes, Airway Resistance, and DLCO Coding

Different PFT components answer different clinical questions, so accurate documentation is particularly important when multiple pulmonary function codes are reported together. CPT 94726 is associated with plethysmographic pulmonary-function testing, including determination of lung volumes and, when performed, airway resistance. CPT 94727 represents pulmonary function testing using gas methods, while CPT 94728 addresses airway resistance by oscillometry. CPT 94729 is associated with diffusing capacity testing, commonly referred to clinically as DLCO testing. CMS lists these services within its respiratory-care coding guidance. Coders should confirm that each billed component is separately supported by the testing performed and the documentation available in the medical record.

5. Bronchoscopy CPT Codes and Procedure Selection

Bronchoscopy coding requires close attention to the exact procedure performed during the scope examination. CPT 31622 represents diagnostic bronchoscopy, while additional codes may apply when the physician performs procedures such as brushing, bronchoalveolar lavage, endobronchial biopsy, fiducial-marker placement, navigation, transbronchial biopsy, or other therapeutic interventions. For example, CPT 31624 is associated with bronchoalveolar lavage, while CPT 31625 covers bronchial or endobronchial biopsy. The operative report should clearly describe the procedure, findings, specimens collected, anatomic locations, and other relevant work. Coders should also check whether a service is an add-on code or subject to bundling with another bronchoscopic procedure.

6. Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Biopsy, and Specimen Documentation

Bronchoscopy claims frequently involve specimen collection, making documentation especially important. CPT 31624 is associated with bronchoalveolar lavage, whereas CPT 31625 is used for bronchial or endobronchial biopsy procedures. The medical record should establish what was performed rather than simply stating that a bronchoscopy occurred. Documentation can include the type of scope, airway examined, collection method, biopsy location, specimens obtained, and clinical purpose. Coders should not assume that every lavage, brushing, biopsy, or diagnostic maneuver is separately reportable. CPT instructions, NCCI edits, payer policies, and the circumstances of the procedure must be reviewed before assigning multiple codes to the same encounter.

7. Advanced Bronchoscopy, Navigation, and Add-On Coding

Modern pulmonology increasingly uses advanced bronchoscopy techniques, including computer-assisted navigation and transbronchial sampling. CPT coding for these services can involve primary bronchoscopy codes together with designated add-on codes when the requirements are satisfied. For example, CPT 31627 is associated with computer-assisted, image-guided navigation, while other codes in the bronchoscopy family address procedures such as transbronchial lung biopsy and needle aspiration. These cases require especially careful review because the presence of multiple techniques does not automatically mean every possible code should be submitted. The operative report should establish each separately reportable service, and the coding team should verify current NCCI edits, CPT instructions, and payer-specific reimbursement policies before claim submission.

8. Medical Necessity and Documentation for Pulmonary Coding

Correct CPT selection is only one part of successful pulmonology billing. The documentation must support why the service was medically necessary and demonstrate that the reported procedure was actually performed. CMS guidance states that respiratory services must be adequately documented and that records should support reasonable and medically necessary care for Medicare reimbursement. For spirometry and PFTs, documentation should identify the test performed and relevant clinical indications. For bronchoscopy, the record should describe the procedure, findings, specimens, biopsies, and other interventions. Coders should also make sure the diagnosis code accurately reflects the patient's documented condition or symptom and supports the service under the applicable payer policy.

9. Common Pulmonology Coding Mistakes to Avoid

Several recurring mistakes can create denials, payment delays, compliance concerns, or inaccurate reporting. One common error is selecting a spirometry code without determining whether a bronchodilator study was performed. Another is billing a complete PFT panel when the documentation supports only selected components. Bronchoscopy claims can also become problematic when coders separately report services that are bundled or fail to recognize add-on-code requirements. Modifier use should never be treated as a shortcut for bypassing an edit; the underlying services must genuinely meet the reporting requirements. Practices should also monitor CPT revisions and corrections because the AMA publishes technical corrections for the current code set.

10. 2026 CPT Updates and Why Annual Verification Matters

The 2026 CPT environment reinforces the importance of using current coding resources. The AMA reports that the 2026 CPT code set contains 288 new codes, 84 deletions, and 46 revisions, with new Category I codes effective January 1, 2026. Pulmonology practices should therefore avoid relying on screenshots, outdated spreadsheets, old coding articles, or prior-year superbills without verification. There are also ongoing Category III updates for emerging technologies. The AMA's 2026 materials show that a Category III code for bronchial cryotherapy was accepted with a July 2026 effective date, illustrating why coders should check the latest official CPT information when handling newer pulmonary procedures.

11. How Pulmonology Practices Can Improve Coding Accuracy

A strong pulmonology coding workflow starts with complete clinical documentation and continues through code verification, claim review, and payer-specific validation. Practices should maintain current CPT resources, educate providers about documentation requirements, and periodically audit high-volume services such as spirometry, PFTs, bronchoscopy, lavage, and biopsies. Coders should compare the procedure note with the exact CPT descriptor instead of coding from a diagnosis or scheduling description alone. It is also useful to monitor denial trends and identify recurring problems involving medical necessity, missing documentation, bundling, modifiers, or authorization. Because CPT changes annually and technical corrections can occur during the year, ongoing education and periodic coding audits can help protect both compliance and revenue.

12. Get Expert Pulmonology Medical Billing Support

Accurate pulmonology CPT coding can make a significant difference in clean-claim rates, reimbursement, compliance, and overall revenue-cycle performance. From spirometry and pulmonary function testing to bronchoscopy, biopsies, lavage, and advanced pulmonary procedures, every claim should be supported by precise documentation and current coding guidance. If your pulmonology practice is experiencing denied claims, coding inconsistencies, delayed reimbursements, or challenges with revenue-cycle management, professional medical billing support can help identify and address those issues. Kaizen US can help healthcare practices strengthen billing workflows, improve claim accuracy, manage denials, and optimize revenue-cycle processes. Contact Kaizen US to discuss a billing strategy tailored to your practice and specialty.

Important: This article is an educational coding guide, not a substitute for the official 2026 CPT codebook, payer-specific policies, NCCI edits, or professional coding advice. CPT is proprietary to the American Medical Association, and coders should verify current descriptors, guidelines, and applicable payer requirements before submitting claims.