January 2018 Q & A

Question: Peripheral Angiography with a Cardiac Cath

Left heart catheterization is ordered for a patient with unstable angina. The Op report states that the patient also has a small ulcer on the foot, a history of atherectomy of the SFA, and reassuring ABI. Catheterization is performed via a right radial artery access. Subsequently, the catheter is moved down to right common femoral artery where runoff of the right leg with digital subtraction at 2 levels is performed. CFA is normal and arthrectomy site is patent. Would this be coded 93458, 36247, 75710?

July 2016 Q & A

Question: Does a CTO 92943 have to be staged?

From CMS:

IMPLEMENTATION DATE July 7, 2014: When a permanent pacemaker is implanted, there must be an attestation that there is documentation on file that the patient has non-reversible symptomatic bradycardia (symptoms of bradycardia are symptoms that can be directly attributable to a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute (for example: syncope, seizures, congestive heart failure, dizziness, or confusion)), as this is the only diagnosis that meets the NCD coverage requirements.