Items Tagged: code



ZHealth Coding Newsletter - November 2016

November 2016 Q & A

Question: Cutting Angioplasty with Perforation

Under fluoroscopic guidance, the upper arm dialysis access fistula was catheterized and fistulogram was obtained. There was a greater than 50% stenosis within the mid cephalic vein that was dilated with an 8 mm angioplasty balloon and high pressure angioplasty balloon with no effect. The lesion was then dilated with a cutting balloon. Following angioplasty with a cutting balloon there was a leak identified from the cephalic vein. Multiple attempts at balloon tamponade were performed, and these were unsuccessful at controlling the leak. An 8 mm x 6 cm fluency stent graft was then placed across the leak and dilated to 8 mm. Follow-up fistulogram was obtained and showed free flow of contrast through the stent. Cephalic arch and central veins are patent. The arterial anastomosis is widely patent. There is a small pseudoaneurysm in the cephalic vein near the arterial anastomosis.
I am assigning codes 36147 and 37238. Should something be stated about the perforation? If so, how should this be coded?

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - October 2016

October 2016 Q & A

Question: Femoral Stent to Stop Bleeding

A patient had a TAVR procedure and had continued bleeding of the femoral artery, so a femoral artery stent was deployed. What code do I use for this service? I see that the CPT book states, "Codes 37220-37235 are to be used to describe lower extremity endovascular revascularization services performed for occlusive disease," so I know that these codes do not apply since the stent was deployed for hemostasis. Is this a billable service?

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - July 2016

July 2016 Q & A

Question: Does a CTO 92943 have to be staged?

Since a CTO is a CHRONIC total occlusion, does it need to be staged? They would know about it ahead of time, since it is chronic. But what if the doctor finds a CTO upon first diagnostic angiography, and is able to treat it with some type of intervention at that same session? Would that be billed as a 92943 along with the cardiac cath code (w/59)? Or, because it is the first time it was found, is the PCI code just the 92928, 92920, 92924, 92933 etc instead of 92943? Do we need to find prior documentation showing CTO was known about prior to intervention?

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - April 2016

April 2016 Q & A

Question: Popliteal Aneurysm

We are looking for a code for popliteal aneurysm (37236?). This is what one of our physicians said: "34900 code is an aneurysm procedure code, and although specifies iliac it is far more reflective of the procedure type and work, including large sheath placement that is involved with popliteal aneurysm repair. In fact the 2 procedures are almost identical except one is done at a more distal location." What code do you suggest we use for popliteal aneurysm and why?

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