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Official Description

Physician or other qualified health care professional services for outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation; with continuous oximetry monitoring (per session)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive program designed to assist patients suffering from chronic lung diseases in understanding and managing their conditions effectively. The primary goal of PR is to improve the patient's overall function, enhance their quality of life, and reduce the frequency of hospital visits. Typically lasting between 4 to 12 weeks, a PR program encompasses a variety of components, including evaluation, education, and exercise. It involves a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating the expertise of pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, and social workers. PR is beneficial for patients with a range of respiratory ailments, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, lung diseases resulting from occupational or environmental exposure, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Additionally, PR may be prescribed for lung transplant patients, either as a preparatory measure before surgery or as part of their recovery process post-surgery. The initiation of a PR program typically involves exercise and lung function testing. This includes an initial assessment of the patient's oxygen saturation levels both at rest and during physical activity, which helps determine the appropriate level of rehabilitation and any supplemental oxygen requirements. Based on the individual assessment, a tailored program is developed that includes exercises aimed at improving muscle strength, often utilizing weights, as well as endurance exercises conducted on a bike or treadmill. Training in effective breathing strategies is also incorporated to enhance oxygen levels and strengthen the airway. Furthermore, patients receive education regarding their specific diseases, management of medications and medical equipment, and techniques to optimize energy efficiency in daily activities. Nutritional guidance and psychological counseling may also be integrated into the program to support the patient's overall well-being. Continuous oximetry monitoring is a critical component of the PR sessions, as it ensures patient safety and allows for the tracking of respiratory impairment and progress towards treatment goals.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for patients with chronic lung diseases who require structured rehabilitation to manage their conditions effectively. The following conditions are explicitly mentioned as suitable for pulmonary rehabilitation:

  • Asthma Patients with asthma may benefit from PR to improve their lung function and manage symptoms.
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) COPD patients often require rehabilitation to enhance their quality of life and reduce exacerbations.
  • Cystic Fibrosis Individuals with cystic fibrosis can utilize PR to improve respiratory function and overall health.
  • Muscular Dystrophy Patients with muscular dystrophy may need PR to maintain respiratory function as their condition progresses.
  • Lung Diseases of Occupational or Environmental Origin Those affected by lung diseases due to occupational or environmental factors can benefit from rehabilitation.
  • Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis patients may require PR to manage their respiratory symptoms effectively.
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis Individuals with pulmonary fibrosis can utilize PR to improve their lung capacity and quality of life.
  • Pulmonary Hypertension Patients diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension may benefit from rehabilitation to manage their condition.
  • Lung Transplant Patients PR may be prescribed for lung transplant patients to prepare for surgery or aid in recovery post-surgery.

2. Procedure

The procedure for outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation with continuous oximetry monitoring involves several key steps that ensure the effective management of the patient's condition. The first step is the initial evaluation, where the healthcare professional assesses the patient's medical history, current health status, and specific needs related to their chronic lung disease. This evaluation is crucial for developing a personalized rehabilitation program.

  • Step 1: Initial Assessment The healthcare provider conducts a thorough assessment of the patient's oxygen saturation levels at rest and during exercise. This assessment helps determine the appropriate level of rehabilitation and any supplemental oxygen requirements that may be necessary during the program.
  • Step 2: Program Development Based on the initial assessment, a tailored rehabilitation program is created. This program typically includes a combination of exercises aimed at improving muscle strength and endurance, which may involve the use of weights and aerobic activities such as cycling or treadmill walking.
  • Step 3: Breathing Strategy Training Patients receive training in effective breathing strategies designed to enhance oxygen levels and strengthen the airway. This training is essential for improving respiratory function and overall exercise capacity.
  • Step 4: Education Education is a vital component of the rehabilitation process. Patients are taught about their specific lung disease, how to manage medications and medical equipment, and techniques to conserve energy during daily activities.
  • Step 5: Continuous Oximetry Monitoring During the rehabilitation sessions, continuous oximetry monitoring is performed to ensure patient safety. This monitoring tracks the degree of respiratory impairment and the patient's progress towards established treatment goals.
  • Step 6: Nutritional and Psychological Support As part of the comprehensive rehabilitation program, patients may also receive nutritional counseling and psychological support to address any emotional or dietary needs that arise from their chronic condition.

3. Post-Procedure

After completing the pulmonary rehabilitation sessions, patients are expected to experience improvements in their lung function, exercise capacity, and overall quality of life. Continuous oximetry monitoring during the sessions ensures that any potential issues are addressed promptly, contributing to a safer rehabilitation experience. Patients may be advised to continue practicing the breathing strategies and exercises learned during the program at home to maintain their progress. Follow-up appointments with healthcare providers may be scheduled to monitor the patient's ongoing health status and adjust any treatment plans as necessary. Additionally, ongoing education about disease management and lifestyle modifications may be provided to support long-term health and well-being.

Short Descr PHY/QHP OP PULM RHB W/MNTR
Medium Descr PHYS/QHP SVCS OP PULM REHAB W/CONT OXIMTRY MNTR
Long Descr Physician or other qualified health care professional services for outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation; with continuous oximetry monitoring (per session)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 2
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2022-01-01 Added Code added
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