Q&A: Billing for pulse oximetry

Q: Can we bill separately for pulse oximetry?

A: Most payers consider pulse oximetry to be another vital sign and not separately payable, particularly when performed by nursing and on all patients including those without respiratory-related signs and symptoms. Pulse oximetry ordered for a respiratory condition is medically necessary and should be separately coded and billed per Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) definitions for single and/or multiple determinations per date of service or for continuous overnight monitoring.

Editor’s note: For more information, see The Chargemaster Essentials Toolkit, Second Edition.