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August 6, 2021

I know we code ventilation if a patient requires a vent >6 hours postop, but would we also code the intubation procedure?

In ICD-10-PCS, the insertion of an endotracheal tube with subsequent mechanical ventilation requires only one procedure code. Per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ ICD-10-PCS Reference Manual, the insertion of an endotracheal tube associated with the mechanical ventilation procedure is considered a component of the equipment used in performing the procedure and is not coded separately.

However, if a center wants to include intubation with the ventilation code, PTSF allows it. Since we don’t use the trauma registry coding for billing purposes, we do have the ability to be more lenient with the coding guidelines in some instances. If your facility would benefit from capturing both codes, you may do so.

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