PULMONARY

CPT 94060: Bronchodilator response spirometry

What this code means, what it should cost, and how to dispute an overcharge.

Fair Price Reference

Medicare allowable
$41
Typical charge range
$80 – $400
Markup vs Medicare
2x – 9.8x

What is CPT 94060?

CPT 94060 (Bronchodilator response spirometry) is a pulmonary billing code defined by the American Medical Association. It's used to bill your insurance or you directly for this service.

What CPT 94060 should cost

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays approximately $41 for CPT 94060 under the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule. This is what the federal government has determined is a reasonable payment for this service.

Private insurance typically pays 1.2–1.8x Medicare rates ($49–$74). Hospital chargemaster prices for CPT 94060 often range from $80 to $400 — a markup of 2x to 9.8x over Medicare.

Common overcharges on CPT 94060

Billing individual components (spirometry, diffusing capacity, plethysmography) when a complete pulmonary function study code should apply. Billing sleep studies with components separately.

About Pulmonary billing

Pulmonary function tests have complex bundling rules. Individual components are frequently billed when a comprehensive code applies.

Compare billed codes against CPT bundling rules. Request the PFT report to confirm which tests were actually performed.

How to dispute a CPT 94060 overcharge

  1. Request the itemized bill. You are entitled to a detailed line-by-line bill showing every CPT code billed. Ask in writing.
  2. Compare to Medicare allowable. If the charge exceeds 150% of Medicare ($62), you have grounds to dispute.
  3. Request documentation. For E&M codes, ask for the visit note. For procedures, ask for the operative report. The documentation must justify the code billed.
  4. Send a formal dispute letter. Cite the specific discrepancy between the documentation and the code. Reference Medicare rates and NCCI edits where applicable.
  5. Follow up in writing. Give the provider 30 days to respond. If they don't, escalate to the state attorney general and insurance commissioner.

Got CPT 94060 on your bill?

Upload your bill. We scan every line for overcharges, upcoding, and improper unbundling — then generate a dispute letter backed by federal law. Free for uninsured and veterans.

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Related Pulmonary codes

CPT 31231
Diagnostic nasal endoscopy
CPT 94010
Spirometry
CPT 94375
Respiratory flow-volume loop
CPT 94726
Plethysmography (lung volumes)
CPT 94729
DLCO (diffusing capacity)
CPT 95810
Polysomnography (sleep study)
CPT 95811
Polysomnography (sleep study) w/CPAP

Related guides

Disclaimer: This information is educational and not legal, medical, or financial advice. Medicare rates and typical charge ranges are approximate and vary by geography and year. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Always verify codes and rates against official sources including the CMS Physician Fee Schedule and FAIR Health Consumer.