31645 Brnchsc with therapy aspiration first
Also known as: therapeutic suctioning, airway clearance via bronch, therapeutic aspiration
Bronchoscopy with therapeutic aspiration of secretions, mucus, blood, or other material from the bronchial tree for airway clearance and improvement of ventilation.
In Plain Language
suctioning/cleaning lungs with scope
Clinical Context
Performed in patients with impaired airway clearance due to thick secretions, aspiration, hemorrhage, or altered consciousness causing hypoxemia or respiratory compromise.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 2.81 |
| Total RVU | 2.81 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 2.81, this code ranks in the 19th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.8x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 31645?
CPT 31645 (Brnchsc with therapy aspiration first) is a Surgery code. Bronchoscopy with therapeutic aspiration of secretions, mucus, blood, or other material from the bronchial tree for airway clearance and improvement of ventilation.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 31645?
The work RVU for CPT 31645 is 2.81. This code is primarily used by Pulmonology, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine.
When is CPT 31645 used?
Performed in patients with impaired airway clearance due to thick secretions, aspiration, hemorrhage, or altered consciousness causing hypoxemia or respiratory compromise.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.