J044 – Bronchial brushing - bilateral
OHIP Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Code — CLINICAL PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS · Schedule of Benefits
Performs bilateral bronchial brushing. This service is classified under 'Clinical Procedures associated with Diagnostic Radiological Examinations' and is considered a major invasive procedure. It is the bilateral counterpart to J024 (unilateral bronchial brushing).
When to Use
- Use J044 when performing a diagnostic bronchial brushing procedure on both the left and right bronchial trees during the same operative session.
- Use this code when the clinical documentation explicitly confirms that brushings were obtained from both sides, distinguishing it from the unilateral J024.
Common Pitfalls
- Billing J044 and J024 together is a common error; J044 is the comprehensive code for bilateral procedures and already accounts for the bilateral nature of the work.
- Failure to maintain a formal referral from a physician or nurse practitioner will lead to automatic rejection, as this is a requirement for all clinical procedures in this category.
Billing Tips
- Ensure your procedure note clearly lists the specific bronchial segments brushed on both sides to justify the bilateral claim over the unilateral J024.
- If the procedure is performed after hours, remember to append the appropriate E409 or E410 premium to the J044 fee, as these are specifically eligible for this major invasive procedure.
Effective: April 1, 2025
E. Clinical Procedures associated with Diagnostic Radiological Examinations
CLINICAL PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS
Procedure
Clinical Procedures associated with Diagnostic Radiological Examinations
All insured services must be documented in appropriate medical records that establish the service was provided, is the service for which the account is submitted, and was medically necessary.
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