Items Tagged: code



ZHealth Coding Newsletter - July 2017

July 2017 Q & A

Question: Superior Mesenteric Artery to Rt Hepatic Artery

A 5 Fr sheath was placed and attached to a heparinized saline infusion. Exchange was made for a SOS catheter and selective DSA performed in the superior mesenteric artery. Superselective catheterization of the replaced right hepatic artery was then performed using a 3 Fr Progreat Microcatheter and wire. Can a catheter reach the right hepatic artery from the SMA or does the catheter need to go through the celiac artery?

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - May 2017

May 2017 Q & A

Question: 96374 with an Ablation

We had a case where Ibutilide was administered during an atrial flutter ablation procedure (93653). The Medicare claims processing manual, chapter 4, section 230.2 discusses this and says, "Hospitals should report all HCPCS codes that describe the drug administration services provided, regardless of whether or not those services are separately paid or their payment is packaged." 93653 had a "J1". 96374 has an SI of "S".

In your opinion, Ibutilide is inherent or not inherent to an ablation procedure, in which it's not always used as part of the procedure, to lets say contrast to an diagnostic angiography, is it then ok to bill 96374 for an IV push, and 96365 for an infusion, if they are given Ibutilide as part of an ablation for a flutter or A-Fib?

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - March 2017

March 2017 Q & A

Question: Treating Tibioperoneal Trunk with PTA and SFA

I have heard that it may be possible to code for an intervention in the tibioperoneal trunk in the following two scenarios: 1. It is the only vessel treated; 2. It is separately treated in addition to an intervention in the anterior tibial artery. My patient has focal stenoses of the mid and distal SFA treated with angioplasty. A patent popliteal artery. Focal high grade stenoses in the superior aspect of the tibioperoneal trunk and within the distal tibioperoneal trunk at the bifurcation of the peroneal and tibial artery. These stenoses were treated with angioplasty as well.

Can I report code 37228 for the tibioperoneal trunk in addition to the SFA angioplasty (37224)? I'm a bit confused because the CPT code book indicates the tibioperoneal trunk would be considered part of the tibial/peroneal territory, but not a separate 4th segment of vessel. Does this mean if it is the only segment of vessels in the tibial/peroneal territory it is billed? Even if another territory is billed? 


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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - February 2017

February 2017 Q & A

Question: C2623 vs 37220

We have been getting edits when codes C2623 (Catheter, transluminal angioplasty, drug-coated, non-laser) and 37220 (Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, iliac artery, unilateral, initial vessel; with transluminal angioplasty) are on the same claim, but I can find nothing to indicate that this code pair should create an edit. Edit reads: when C2623 is on the claim then 37224 or 37226 must also be on the claim?

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - December 2016

December 2016 Q & A

Question: Fractional Flow Reserve without Catheterization

Physician performs LHC at another facility and then transfers the patient to the cath lab at the hospital to perform fractional flow reserve (93571). The physician thinks that 93571-26-XE will get us paid by Medicare and for commercial insurance to bill coronary angiography only with 93571 to get paid.
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