New HCPCS code C2623, Catheter, transluminal angioplasty, drug-coated, non-laser, will be effective April 1, 2015.

Code C2623 is a “pass-through” code and will receive additional payment from Medicare when billed. Hospital charge description masters should be updated with this code on April 1, 2015. These catheters can cost over $2,000, so it is important for the facility to receive the additional reimbursement when these specialty catheters are used.

December 2014 Q & A

Question: Preoperative Tumor Embolization

The preoperative embolizations are sometimes confusing because they are done for varying reasons. When embolization is arteries supplying tumor, would this be considered Tumor Embolization? Patient has metastatic renal cell carcinoma to femur.

November 2014 Q & A

Question: IVUS Without A Base Code

I thought I read something about a change regarding IVUS without a base code. The patient has known CAD, and the only procedure done was an IVUS of the Left Main and LAD. Patient's groin prepped, 5 French sheath was placed and the guide was advanced. Wire was placed down to the LAD & IVUS of Left Main and LAD was done. I have documentation of the IVUS findings. Catheter as well as sheath were removed. IVUS would be coded as 92978 &92979, but current edits indicate a base code is needed. We don't have a base code. Was there a change so this can be coded, or is there another code that we should add, or is our claim going to be denied?

October 2014 Q & A

Question: Venous Stent Placement During Thrombolytic Therapy

In the 2014 Interventional Radiology Coding Reference, page 196 example #2, there is a thrombolytic therapy procedure that ends with a venous stent placement. The venous stenting codes do not include the catheter placement, and according to the CPT manual, you should report those in addition to the stents (37238-37229). The example only has the 37238 and does not list a catheter placement CPT code. The thrombolytic catheter is removed and a new catheter for the stent placement is inserted. Other coding references have stated that if a new catheter is placed even from the same access, you would report the catheter placement for the intervention. Wouldn’t you report the venous catheter placement in this example? And if so, what code would you use?

May 2014 Q & A

Question: Yttrium-90 intrahepatic embolization, catheter placements bundled by NCCI

Under ultrasound guidance for right common femoral artery access, a catheter was advanced to abdominal aorta and on to superior mesenteric artery where an arteriogram was performed (36245-59 for catheter placement). The catheter was redirected into the celiac artery and the proper hepatic artery was selected (36247-59) where an angiogram was performed.

The catheter was then advanced into ...