2006 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
LVRS PULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAM DESIGN EXCLUSIVELY USING THE LVRS G-CODES FOR BILLING
- Gerilynn L.
Connors, RRT, FAACVPR, Sidnie Hess, RRT, AE-C, Judith Shumway, RRT,
Susan Farrell, RRT, NPS, AE-C, Heather Montilla, RRT, Junk Leah RRT, Jill Baker
RRT, Tom Malinowski, RRT, FAARC, Tom Arrowsmith, RRT, James Lamberti, MD. Inova
Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA.
Background: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) pre- and post LVRS
surgery has specific reimbursement G-codes developed by Medicare (CMS) for the
surgical site to use. In working with
this patient population we have found a need to design a specific pre- and post
surgical pulmonary rehabilitation program beyond the typical comprehensive
program to address the needs of this unique surgical patient. A typical
comprehensive PR program would not cover issues relating to: post operative
management from mechanical ventilation to pain, scar management, coping with
post-operative changes as related to medications, Heimlich valve placement,
bronchial hygiene of no forced maneuver for a designated period of time, BMI
requirements pre surgical and post operative PR home recommendations.
Methods: The components of pulmonary rehabilitation from
assessment, education, therapeutic exercise, psychosocial intervention and long
term adherence was redesigned to fit the G-codes G0304 preoperative PR LVRS 1
through 9 days and G0305 Post discharge PR LVRS minimum of 6 days.
Results: The program redesign has allowed us to meet the
PR LVRS exercise and education needs of the patient. The surgical patient is better prepared for
the surgery with PR LVRS.
Conclusions: The CMS LVRS
G-codes can be effectively used when the pulmonary rehabilitation program is
redesigned for this specific surgical patient.