Ah, pneumonitis—pneumonia’s less famous, less reimbursable cousin. If you’re a doctor and you find yourself scribbling pneumonia on every chart like it’s your go-to answer on a multiple-choice test, let me introduce you to its underappreciated sibling: pneumonitis.
Now, what exactly is pneumonitis? Well, in medical terms, it’s lung inflammation that isn’t caused by an infection. In practical terms, it’s what you write when you want to shake things up a little but don’t want anyone thinking you’re just padding your pneumonia numbers for reimbursement. Because let’s be honest—pneumonia sounds dramatic, urgent, and just a tad more billable. Pneumonitis? Not so much.
But hey, sometimes you’ve got to keep ‘em guessing. Maybe the patient doesn’t have a full-blown pneumonia but still has some mysterious lung irritation. Pneumonitis. Maybe it’s from inhaling some questionable fumes. Pneumonitis. Maybe you just don’t feel like writing pneumonia again. Boom. Pneumonitis.
Sure, insurance companies might not throw as much money at it, but at least it keeps things interesting. And who knows? Maybe one day, pneumonitis will get the respect (and reimbursement) it deserves.
Until then, choose wisely.
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