Dr. George Cheng, MD, PHD is a Pulmonologist, who primarily practices in San Diego, CA. He is board certified. Dr. Cheng graduated from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Cheng is fluent in English and Chinese, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Cheng’s practice accepts Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Cheng’s office at (619) 543-5840.
What are Areas of Expertise for Dr. Cheng?
Dr. George Cheng, MD, PHD is a highly-rated, board-certified Pulmonologist known for expertly diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide array
of related conditions or procedures. Utilizing the latest medical advancements and evidence-based practices, Dr. Cheng empowers
patients to confidently navigate their health journey, specializing in Airway Disorders, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD), Critical Care, Interventional Pulmonology, Lung Cancer, Lung Disease, Pleural Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, or comprehensive
wellness support. Serving
the San Diego/CA community, Dr. Cheng is dedicated to enhancing lives through expert, patient-centered care.
Where did Dr. Cheng go to medical school and complete their residency?
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Is Dr. Cheng board certified as a Pulmonologist?
Yes, Dr. George Cheng, MD, PHD is board certified by the American Board of Radiologic Physics , American Board of Radiology
What languages does Dr. Cheng speak?
Dr. Cheng and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:
Chinese
English
What conditions does Dr. Cheng treat?
As a Pulmonologist, Dr. Cheng diagnoses, treats, and manages
a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized
insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated
by Dr. Cheng. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience
and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly.
Also known as:
Single Lung Nodule
Other Abnormal Findings on Lung Scan
Lung Disease
Lung Spot
Pulmonary Nodule
Spot on Lung Scan
Unusual Lung Scan Results
Atypical Lung Imaging
Nonspecific Lung Abnormality
ICD-10 Codes:
R911: Solitary pulmonary nodule
R918: Other nonspecific abnormal finding of lung field
Also known as:
Pleural Effusion
Pleural Disorder
Fluid in lungs
Water on the lung
Fluid around lungs
ICD-10 Codes:
J90: Pleural effusion, not elsewhere classified
Also known as:
Other Bronchial Disorder
Bronchial Disorder
Other Bronchial Tube Diseases
Miscellaneous Airway Disorders
Unspecified Bronchial Problems
ICD-10 Codes:
J9809: Other diseases of bronchus, not elsewhere classified
Also known as:
Respiratory Failure
Acute Respiratory Failure with Low Oxygen
Lung failure
Breathing failure
Respiratory insufficiency
Sudden lung failure with low oxygen
Hypoxic respiratory failure
Acute breathing failure with hypoxia
ICD-10 Codes:
J9690: Respiratory failure, unspecified, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia
J9601: Acute respiratory failure with hypoxia
Also known as:
Localized Swollen Lymph Nodes
Widespread Swollen Lymph Nodes
Enlarged glands in one area
Local lymphadenopathy
Swollen glands
Generalized lymphadenopathy
Multiple swollen glands
Body-wide enlarged lymph nodes
ICD-10 Codes:
R590: Localized enlarged lymph nodes
R591: Generalized enlarged lymph nodes
Also known as:
Upper Respiratory Tract Disease
Bronchial Disorder
Upper airway disease
Nose and throat conditions
Upper respiratory illness
ICD-10 Codes:
J398: Other specified diseases of upper respiratory tract
Abnormal Findings on Scans of Other Specific Body Structures
Unusual Scan Results (Other Body Parts)
Atypical Imaging Findings (Other)
Abnormal X-ray/MRI/CT (Other)
ICD-10 Codes:
R9389: Abnormal findings on diagnostic imaging of other specified body structures
Also known as:
Lung Cancer
Right lung cancer
Bronchial cancer
Malignant neoplasm of lung
ICD-10 Codes:
C3491: Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of right bronchus or lung
Also known as:
Catheter Management
Catheter adjustment
Catheter care
Non-vascular catheter maintenance
ICD-10 Codes:
Z4682: Encounter for fitting and adjustment of non-vascular catheter
What procedures does Dr. Cheng perform?
As a Pulmonologist, Dr. Cheng performs a variety of medical procedures.
This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights
the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Cheng. It provides insight
into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters
from the past two years, updated quarterly.
Also known as:
Bronchoscopy with Airway Suctioning
Bronchoscopy with Lung Wash (BAL)
Bronchoscopy with Lung Biopsy
Image-Guided Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy with Brushing
Bronchoscopy with Foreign Body Removal
Bronchoscopy with Airway Stent Placement
Bronchoscopy with Airway Dilation or Fracture Repair
Bronchoscopy with Tumor Removal
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
Fluoroscopy
Biopsy
Therapeutic Bronchoscopy
Airway Aspiration
Lung Secretion Removal
Bronchial lavage
BAL procedure
Lung washing
Flexible bronchoscopy
Transbronchial Needle Biopsy
Lung Biopsy via Bronchoscope
Airway Examination with Biopsy
Navigational Bronchoscopy
Computer-Assisted Bronchoscopy
Advanced Lung Scope
Bronchial brushing
Lung scope with biopsy
Flexible bronchoscopy with brushing
Lung Scope with Biopsy
Bronchial Biopsy
Endobronchial Biopsy
Flexible Bronchoscopy with Biopsy
Lung Scope to Remove Object
Airway Foreign Body Extraction
Flexible Bronchoscopy for Object
Bronchial Stent Insertion
Airway Stent Procedure
Flexible Bronchoscopy with Stent
Tracheal/Bronchial Dilation and Stent
Tracheal Dilation Bronchoscopy
Bronchial Fracture Reduction
Airway Widening Bronchoscopy
Lung Scope with Tumor Excision
Bronchial Tumor Resection
Flexible Bronchoscopy for Tumor
CPT Codes:
31645: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with therapeutic aspiration of tracheobronchial tree, initial
31624: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial alveolar lavage
31629: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy(s), trachea, main stem and/or lobar bronchus(i)
31627: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with computer-assisted, image-guided navigation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure[s])
31623: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with brushing or protected brushings
31625: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with bronchial or endobronchial biopsy(s), single or multiple sites
31635: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with removal of foreign body
31636: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with placement of bronchial stent(s) (includes tracheal/bronchial dilation as required), initial bronchus
31630: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with tracheal/bronchial dilation or closed reduction of fracture
31640: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with excision of tumor
Also known as:
Lung Biopsy with Bronchoscopy
Lung Biopsy with Bronchoscopy and Ultrasound
Bronchoscopy with Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
Additional Lung Biopsy via Bronchoscopy (Needle Aspiration)
Lung Biopsy During Bronchoscopy (Additional Lobe)
Biopsy
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
Fluoroscopy
Transbronchial Biopsy
Bronchoscopic Lung Biopsy
Lung Tissue Sample via Scope
EBUS Bronchoscopy
Endobronchial Ultrasound Biopsy
Lung Lymph Node Biopsy
Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA)
Bronchoscopic lung biopsy
Lung tissue sampling (bronchoscopy)
Bronchoscopic Lung Tissue Sample
Lung Biopsy via Scope
CPT Codes:
31628: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial lung biopsy(s), single lobe
31652: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guided transtracheal and/or transbronchial sampling (eg, aspiration[s]/biopsy[ies]), one or two mediastinal and/or hilar lymph node stations or structures
31653: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guided transtracheal and/or transbronchial sampling (eg, aspiration[s]/biopsy[ies]), 3 or more mediastinal and/or hilar lymph node stations or structures
31633: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy(s), each additional lobe (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
31632: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial lung biopsy(s), each additional lobe (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Also known as:
Bronchoscopy with Ultrasound for Lung Lesions
Bronchoscopy with Lung Marker Placement
Tunneled Pleural Catheter Insertion
Lung Fluid Drainage with Catheter
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
Fluoroscopy
Ultrasound
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) Bronchoscopy
Lung Lesion Biopsy with EBUS
Bronchial Ultrasound Guided Procedure
Lung Scope with Ultrasound
Flexible bronchoscopy with fiducial markers
Lung tumor marker placement
Bronchial scope with guidance
Indwelling Pleural Catheter Placement
Chest Drainage Catheter
Permanent Pleural Catheter
Percutaneous Pleural Drainage
Chest Tube Insertion
Imaging-Guided Pleural Drain
CPT Codes:
31654: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transendoscopic endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) during bronchoscopic diagnostic or therapeutic intervention(s) for peripheral lesion(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure[s])
31626: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with placement of fiducial markers, single or multiple
32550: Insertion of indwelling tunneled pleural catheter with cuff
32557: Pleural drainage, percutaneous, with insertion of indwelling catheter; with imaging guidance
Also known as:
Fluid Removal from Lung Area with Imaging Guidance
Thoracentesis
Pleural Fluid Aspiration
Lung Tap
Fluid Drainage from Chest
CPT Codes:
32555: Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; with imaging guidance
Also known as:
Bronchoscopy with Airway Tumor Removal
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
Fluoroscopy
Airway Tumor Destruction
Bronchial Stenosis Relief
Laser Therapy for Airway Blockage
CPT Codes:
31641: Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with destruction of tumor or relief of stenosis by any method other than excision (eg, laser therapy, cryotherapy)
Also known as:
Lung Fluid Drainage
Pleural Fluid Aspiration
Chest Fluid Removal
Thoracic Paracentesis
CPT Codes:
32554: Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; without imaging guidance
Also known as:
Removal of Pleural Drainage Catheter
Tunneled Pleural Catheter Removal
Chest Tube Removal
Pleural Catheter Excision
CPT Codes:
32552: Removal of indwelling tunneled pleural catheter with cuff
Does Dr. Cheng accept my insurance?
Dr. Cheng accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (619) 543-5840 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.
What insurance plans does Dr. Cheng accept in San Diego, CA?
Dr. Cheng in San Diego, CA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.
What is Dr. Cheng's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.
Dr. Cheng's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1316174568.
What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Cheng?
Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Cheng
What is Dr. George Cheng's specialty?
Dr. Cheng is a Pulmonologist near San Diego, CA.
An internist specializing in the treatment of lung and airway diseases. The pulmonologist diagnoses and manages conditions such as cancer, pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, occupational and environmental illnesses, bronchitis, sleep disorders, emphysema, and other complex lung disorders. Contact Dr. Cheng to book an appointment today.
Is this Dr. George Cheng affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?
Yes, Dr. Cheng is affiliated with Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health which is a Castle Connolly
Top Hospital. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are healthcare institutions recognized for their
excellence in specific medical procedures and overall patient care. They are identified through
a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise.
The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the
top 25% nationwide.
Castle Connolly Top Hospitals
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Is George Cheng accepting new patients in San Diego, CA?
Yes, Dr. George Cheng is accepting new patients at this time.
Does Dr. George Cheng offer online booking?
Please contact Dr. Cheng's office at (619) 543-5840 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.
How can I make an appointment with George Cheng?
Please contact Dr. Cheng's office at (619) 543-5840 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.
Which board certifications does Dr. George Cheng have?
Dr. George Cheng is certified by the American Board of Radiologic Physics and American Board of Radiology.
Dr. Kathryn Akong, MD, PHD is a Pediatric Pulmonologist, who primarily practices in San Diego, CA with 2 additional practice locations. She is board certified.
Dr. Atul Malhotra, MD is a Sleep Medicine Specialist - Internist, who primarily practices in San Diego, CA with 2 additional practice locations. He has been practicing for over 27 years and is board certified.