Prolonged mechanical ventilation: review of care settings and an update on professional reimbursement

Chest. 2008 Feb;133(2):539-45. doi: 10.1378/chest.07-0656.

Abstract

The goal of this article is to provide an update on recent changes to current procedural terminology codes used for billing physician services for mechanical ventilation in chronic care facilities. In addition to billing information, background data relevant to prolonged mechanical ventilation are reviewed. Topics covered include a description of the settings in which patients receive prolonged mechanical ventilation; home mechanical ventilation; the role of physician extenders; documentation of ventilator services; and reporting and coding ventilator management.

MeSH terms

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
  • Current Procedural Terminology*
  • Home Care Services, Hospital-Based
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Long-Term Care
  • Physician Assistants
  • Reimbursement Mechanisms
  • Respiration, Artificial* / economics
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / therapy
  • Time Factors