HCPCS 31647

Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with balloon occlusion, when performed, assessment of air leaks, airway sizing, and insertion of bronchial valve(s), initial lobe

AI EXPLANATION: Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction is a minimally invasive procedure designed to improve breathing in individuals with severe lung disease, such as emphysema. A doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope through the mouth or nose and into the airways. Using specialized imaging and measurement tools, the clinician evaluates airway size and checks for air leaks before placing tiny, one-way valves into damaged portions of the lung. These valves allow trapped air and fluids to exit while preventing new air from entering, which helps the healthier sections of the lung expand and work more effectively.