Name of the Procedure:

G9699: Long-acting inhaled bronchodilator not prescribed, reason not otherwise specified
Common names: G9699, NA Bronchodilator Deferment, Bronchodilator Non-prescription Specified Reason

Summary

This entry is used when a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator is considered but not prescribed to the patient for reasons that are not specifically listed.

Purpose

Bronchodilators are used to treat conditions that affect breathing, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The goal of this entry is to document instances where such medication is not prescribed and no clear reason is specified.

Indications

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Other chronic respiratory conditions requiring maintenance therapy

Patients who meet the criteria for long-acting inhaled bronchodilators but are not prescribed the medication for unspecified reasons can be recorded under this code.

Preparation

For this HCPCS code, no specific pre-procedure patient preparation is required. It is a documentation code rather than a procedure requiring patient preparation.

Procedure Description

Since this is a documentation code rather than a procedural code, the steps involve:

1. Reviewing the patient's medical condition and history.
2. Determining the necessity of a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator.
3. Not prescribing the bronchodilator for unspecified reasons.
4. Documenting the decision using the G9699 code.

Duration

The time required for the consultation and decision-making process, which typically lasts about 15-30 minutes.

Setting

This decision and subsequent documentation can take place in:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Doctor's offices
• Telemedicine consultations

Personnel

• Primary care physicians
• Pulmonologists
• Nurse practitioners
• Physician assistants

Risks and Complications

There are no inherent risks or complications directly related to the documentation itself. However, not prescribing necessary medication might lead to the following for the patient:

• Worsening of respiratory symptoms
• Increased frequency of asthma or COPD exacerbations
• Reduced quality of life

Benefits

The primary benefit of using this documentation code is accurate and complete medical records, which help ensure continuity of care and facilitate future medical decisions.

Recovery

There is no recovery process since this is not an active medical procedure but a documentation entry.

Alternatives

The alternative would involve:

• Assessing more specific reasons for not prescribing the bronchodilator and documenting them under relevant specific codes.
• Prescribing the medication if indicated and safe for the patient.

Patient Experience

The patient may experience disappointment or confusion about why the medication was not prescribed. Clear communication from the healthcare provider including discussing alternative treatments and the rationale for the decision can aid in patient understanding and comfort.