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radiocephalic fistula inflow

"5 French angled glide catheter was advanced over this wire into the distal radial artery. Fistulogram with radiological supervision and interpretation was then performed. This revealed near occlusive stenosis at the arteriovenous anastomosis and proximal outflow. 4 mm x 40 mm Mustang balloon was brought to the arteriovenous anastomosis, and balloon angioplasty was performed of the segment. The 4 mm x 40 mm balloon was also used to perform balloon angioplasty of the proximal outflow. Fistulogram was performed, which revealed significant improvement of the severe arteriovenous anastomotic stenosis. The 6 mm x 40 mm balloon was then brought into the proximal venous outflow, and balloon angioplasty was performed." 

Would you report codes 36215, 75710, and 36902 since the catheter was advanced to the distal radial artery? I reported code 36902 only. Can you give more explanation to what is considered arterial inflow in the dialysis circuit? Isn't this beyond perianastomotic segment for 36215 and 75710 to be used?

Carotid Angiogram

I'm new to carotid angiogram and wondering which CPT code (36222 or 36223) is correct for this case. 

"Catheter advanced to the ascending aorta to right brachiocephalic then right common carotid artery engaged. Multiple views of right carotid system then catheter pulled back to brachiocephalic. A brachiocephalic angiogram performed. The catheter pulled back and engage left subclavian. The catheter used to engage the left common carotid artery with multiple views. Finding state left carotid artery is normal and bifurcates into the internal and external carotid artery. External carotid normal and internal reveals 90% focal stenosis."

Posterior wall isolation and ablation only

Patient has atrial fibrillation referred for ablation. per report left atrium was mapped and the pulmonary veins were isolated from previous ablation. Only the posterior left atrial wall was ablated. Normally, posterior wall isolation is an adjunct after PVI isolation with atrial fibrillation. Reading the guidelines as recommended by CPT to use 93653 for non-PVI isolation. Is this correct? My dilemma is whether to use 93653 or 93656 since this is atrial fibrillation and not atrial flutter. Appreciate your feedback Dr. Z. Thankyou.

sheath placement

If a wire and sheath are placed into the the IVC with venogram from a jugular access, is that reported with 36010 or 36005? Can a sheath be considered a cath and coded as selective?

IFR 93799 Modifier Needs

We have been getting errors when coding 93799 with modifiers LC, LD, & RC. I am finding conflicting information as of the proper coding. As of January 1, 2024 were the rules around this code with modifier changed? Do we now code 93799 without modifier or continue the use of modifier when only one IFR used? Thank you

Reflow Temporary Spur Stent

Our hospital is using a new device called the Reflow Temporary Spur stent. After performing an angioplasty, they insert the Temporary Spur Stent and inflate it which causes the drug-coated spurs to create channels in the vessel lining and the physician leaves it in place for a period of time to allow the drug to be deposited into the vessel lining to prevent recoiling after angioplasty.

Please note we code for pro-fee and facility. Would this procedure be coded as an angioplasty procedure with use of the reflow system included? Would this be an unlisted code? For pro-fee, if we can code the angioplasty code, would we also assign a -22 modifier for the extra work? 

RT to LT Fem-Fem Bypass 35661

If my provider is performing a left to right femoral-femoral PTFE bypass, what is the correct modifier to use with 35661? Do you consider this to be a bilateral procedure needing a modifier 50 or a unilateral procedure needing RT or LT modifier? Please advise.

Cardiac Cath EP Ablation Cardiac Pacer/Defib w/ US guided Vascular entry

Can you provide any updates regarding guidance for code 76937 "Ultrasound-guided vascular entry" being reported separately with cardiac cath, EP ablation, or pacer/defib procedures? One of your responses to a previous question regarding 76937 was that it cannot be coded with cardiac cath, EP ablation, or pacer/defib procedures.

Can we code 35700 if a patient had a femoral endarterectomy in a past

Can we code an additional 35700 (with 35666) because the patient had a femoral endarterectomy a couple of years ago (same vessel), and the patient did not have bypasses in the past?

According to AAPC guidelines, 35700 is used when the provider re-operates on an arterial bypass graft more than a month after the initial procedure.

According to ZHealth Vascular Book – “Report add-on code 35700 for reoperation of extremity bypasses greater than one month after original surgery”.

Am I understanding correctly that we can code the +35700 only if the provider does the “reoperation of extremity bypasses”? Our provider wants to code 35700 because the patient had an endarterectomy in the same vessel three years ago. On Question (ID : 18040) you answered that we can. I am confused. Please clarify.

Tikosyn Admit During Global From Pacemaker Placement

I have a patient that had a pacemaker placement in early January with a diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome.

In the doctor's operative report it is stated "Arrange Tikosyn admission in 4 weeks after pacemaker for rhythm control".

The patient is now an inpatient and the doctors are submitting charges for atrial flutter.

I am going back and forth as to whether these can be billed with a 24 modifier or if they are part of the global and should not be charged.

I feel like it's part of the global, but I'm not absolutely positive, and I don't want to take charges away, so I am looking for some guidance with this scenario.

Thank you!

Suction lipectomy without incision to elevate fistula

Our physicians are performing this procedure more often to elevate a fistula. "Preoperative ultrasound was used to interrogate the AV access which identified significant depth between the dermis and cannulation zone with depth of 15 mm. Standard wetting solution consisting of saline lidocaine and epinephrine mixture was infiltrated into the subcutaneous tissue space using tumescent technique immediately surrounding and superficial to the AV access. Suction lipectomy was performed in the subcutaneous tissue layer directly superficial to the AV access for the entire cannulation zone under direct visualization of ultrasound to achieve desired tissue depth for appropriate future cannulation. Final depth visualized by US was 3 mm. Post suction lipectomy access angiogram demonstrated no injuries." I reviewed Question ID 4005 from 2012 and wondered if your recommendation is still the same. Physician would like to report 36832 only for this service. Thanks in advance - you all are the best!

TPA, PTA & ligation of a collateral vein of a Radiocephalic Fistula

Pt w/radiocephalic fistula. A large collateral vein was cannulated with micropunture set. Dilator advanced in a retrograde toward the arteriovenous anastomosis. Arteriogram showed a severe stenosis of the proximal cephalic vein distal to the anastomosis. PTA of the stenosis was performed. In order to treat the thrombus within the access TPA was instilled within the access. The thrombus was also macerated percutaneously. Prior to the completion of the procedure a 2-1 Vicryl suture was inserted through the skin & subcutaneous tissue surrounding the collateral vein. The suture was tied so that the flow through the vein was disrupted. Findings: A critical stenosis of the proximal cephalic vein was dilated with 5mm balloon with improvement in caliber. A small volume of thrombus within the fistula at the level of the antecubital fossa was treated with TPA as well as maceration of the clot. The large competing collateral vein was ligated using 2-1 Vicryl. Would the codes be 36000 (access), 36905 (Fistula TPA & PTA) and 36909 (vein ligated)?

would 32652 (decortication) & 32556 (pleural effusion) be correct

I was told that code 32652 address both the decortication and pleural effusion) The incision was placed along the intercostal space. VATS scope inserted. A large amt of fluid was found and a thick cortex surrounded the left upper lobe and anterior chest wall, a gelatineous pleural effusion was drained & debrided; lung was separated from the thoracic wall, fluid was drained, the lung was successfully decorticated & the major fissure was able to be opened. Thank you

Explant of prior EVAR w/ Open AAA Repair

If a patient had a history of EVAR several years earlier and now presents with enlarging aortic aneurysm, are we able to report 34830/34831/34832? The surgeon believes that these codes are only use if EVAR is attempted and failed on the same day and open repair is ultimately performed. If that's true, would we just use the open aneurysm repair code? I don't believe we would be able to code for the EVAR explant, since it was not infected? Can you please weigh in? 

IPDA bypass

Physician performed an aortic to inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery bypass. Since the IPDA is a branch of the mesenteric artery, would we be able to report code 35631, or would this have to be unlisted code 37799?

TAVR resulted to SAVR

Co-surgery Interventional and Cardiac performed TAVR CPT 33361, towards the end, complication occurred, they both tried to retrieve the prosthetic valve but failed. This resulted to SAVR. How do we code this, 33361 (62,53) then 33405 (59)?

Does this note support billing 33249 w/ modifier 62 for both providers ?

Creation of AICD pocket only by cardiothoracic surgeon. Placement of the leads and generator by cardiologist. Per the cardiologist's documentation: "The cardiothoracic surgeon then came in and performed creation of his left subpectoral muscle pocket." Per the cardiothoracic surgeon's note: "After informed consent was obtained, the patient was brought to the EP lab for device and lead placements that were performed by the cardiologist." If both providers cannot bill 33249 with modifier -62, how would you recommend this be billed?

Aspiration and Core Biopsy

"History: Left supraclavicular lymph node.

Interpretation: After obtaining informed consent, the patient was placed supine on the examination table, and the neck was prepped and draped in a sterile fashion. A timeout was performed confirming the correct patient, procedure, and site. Local anesthesia was achieved with lidocaine 1%. With ultrasound guidance, a 25 gauge needle was used to obtain a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the left supraclavicular, 4.3 x 2.3 x 4.0 cm lymph node. Three samples were obtained. Cytology was present and determined that the specimen was adequate for evaluation. Next, two 18 gauge samples were removed and placed directly in formalin. The patient tolerated the procedure well without complication.

Impression: Uncomplicated fine needle aspiration and core biopsy of an enlarged left supraclavicular lymph node."

Would this be coded with codes 38505 and 76942 or codes 38505, 76942, and 10005?

sedation on cardiac cath and angiography not separately billable?

Hi Dr. Z I need your advise on this article from CMS A52850 it says that sedation is included in cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography and should not be separately billed to Medicare. This revision that went into effect 10/01/2023.

CPT Code for Craniotomy

Can you please provide me the CPT code for a craniotomy? Basically a surgical procedure to open the brain and place a clip on the aneurysm. 

cpt 33233, 33234, 33235

cpt 33233, 33234, 33235 was billed together, but cpt 33234 was ad mutually inclusive to cpt 33235.

0523T using CathWorks System

We have just recently started using this technology. In 2019 a Q&A said the MD has to document 3D FFR. However our physicians will state the technology in a variety of ways. What is sufficient for coding 0523T?

1) LAD FFR by cathworks is 0.87

2) Diffuse mid LAD 40% stenosis. TIMI 3 flow. CathWorks FFR: 0.83.

Some have a section of their report where it is documented like this by staff:

3) Flow wire: FFR.

FFR measurement is 0.86. Measurements were obtained in the middle right coronary artery. CathWorks system.

(Because the title says Flow wire they are documenting Cath Works at the end. (When it is a flow wire the wire supply is listed in the statement.) We are working on removing the words Flow Wire from generated text.)

And to clarify - if 3D angio and FFR is done in the same setting - only report one code. Report 93571 or 0523T?

Thank you very much!

Trace/Trivial findings

When coding a diagnostic study such as an Echo or EKG, if the findings state trace or trivial, should that be coded as a diagnosis? I did review question ID 18799 but the answer is that minimal should be coded. What about trace or trivial?

Vessel Selection Included in Emolibations?

A chief tech at our hospital stated that vessel selection codes in intracranial embolization cases are now included in the embolization CPT 61624. I am unable to find supporting material for this statement. Can you confirm this?

0408T - WITH ONLY TWO RV LEADS PLACED

In your Interventional Cardiology 2023 reference book pg 580 in order to bill for the code 0408T- Optimizer CCM system it would have to be a complete system (generator and leads). A complete system consists of a generator and 3 leads (2 RV and 1 RA leads). If the patient only receives two RV leads placed with the generator, would this still be considered "complete"? If it's not considered complete with just the two RV leads, how you we code this for facility? Thank you.

Clinical indication is: Ischemic Cardiomyopathy (functional class III), her EF 40% and does not meet criteria for CRT therapy.

gelfoam slurry mixed with thrombin into retroperitoneal hematoma

Would this be unlisted? No catheterization due to extensive atherosclerotic disease. Agent: Packet of Gelfoam mixed with 5000 units of recombinant thrombin. fluid portion of the hematoma was accessed with a 5 French Yueh catheter directly. Under ultrasound guidance, Gelfoam slurry mixed with the recombinant thrombin was administered into the retroperitoneal hematoma. Via the 5 French Yueh catheter, other parts of the hematoma was also injected with Gelfoam slurry mixed with recombinant thrombin. A total of 50 mL of Gelfoam slurry mixed with recombinant thrombin (5000 units) was administered directly into the liquid portion of the hematoma. Catheter was removed.

Impression: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous administration of Gelfoam slurry mixed with the common and thrombin into the left retroperitoneal hematoma.

Any help would be appreciated!

CT marker placement adjacent to spinous process

Would this be 10035 or C9728/77012? We also charge for both facility and IR radiologists.

Excerpts from report:

PROCEDURE: CT-guided targe marker placement

Pre-procedure diagnosis: T8 metastatic lesion causing cord compression

Post-procedure diagnosis: Same

Indication: Presurgical planning for T8 laminectomy

Additional clinical history: None

IMPRESSION:

Technically successful CT-guided marker placement with the tip of the Kopans needle projecting adjacent to the tip of T8 the spinous process.

Imaging prior to biopsy

The patient was positioned prone. Initial imaging was performed using noncontrast CT.

Sagittal and axial images were obtained. The tip of T8 spinous process was identified.

Marker placement

Local anesthesia was administered. Under CT guidance, a Kopans needle was advanced to the target and deployed.

Imaging following biopsy

Immediate post-biopsy imaging was performed using noncontrast CT.

Post-biopsy imaging findings: No evidence of acute complications. Appropriate positioning of the tip of the Kopans needle

Thank you.

Right Atrial Mass Thombectomy

"The INARI thrombectomy catheter was inserted and advanced to the IVC/RA junction just below the mobile echo density. 4 ASPIRATIONS WERE performed with retrieval of significant harvest and TEE confirmed removal of large masses from the SVC/RA junction." Successful mechanical thrombectomy of right atrial mass in transit with removal of significant harvest using fluoroscopy and TEE guidance. - Would this be coded as 0644T or 33999?

Presacral nerve plexus block

Dr. Z, I am unable to locate a CPT for this procedure (unless is it unlisted). Is an unlisted code most appropriate? Thank you.

Sacral region was prepped and draped in usual sterile fashion. 1% lidocaine was used locally.

Under CT guidance 4 separate 20-gauge spinal needles were advanced through the sacrum disease 2 on the right and 2 on the left.

On the left at the needles were advanced through a large infiltrating tumor and positioned more towards the anterior aspect of the sacrum. On the right at the more superior needle was advanced through the sacrum and into the anterior presacral space. The inferior needle was positioned along the right lateral margin of tumor extending across midline.

A total of 30 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine and 80 mg of triamcinolone were instilled through the for needles.

The needles were removed.

IMPRESSION:

CT-GUIDED THE PRESACRAL NERVE PLEXUS BLOCK

Robotic Assisted Resection of Intercostal Neurofibroma

Please let us know - What is the CPT Code for Robotic Assisted Resection of an Intercostal Neurofibroma?

Thank you,

Port TPA injection with contrast injection

Please explain why physicians cannot bill 36598, 36593 in hospital setting when physician administers tPA to port following the port study. Status indicator T implies that 36598 is not payable only when other services that are payable are submitted by same provider on same DOS. If 36593 is not payable due to POS then 36598 would be payable to physician in this setting. We are reimbursed for the 36598 we are never reimbursed for 36593.

Open small AAA repair w/aorto-bifemoral bypass graft

I coded: 35081, 35371-50. I feel like I am not accurately coding for the femoral graft procedures. Open aortic exposure performed w/vessel control. Aortotomy made w/removal of thrombus and plague. Dissection carried down to the aortic bifurcation and RT & LT CIA arteries. Blunt dissection used from femoral incision up to retroperitoneum. Dacron graft applied end graft to end aortic anastomosis. Left femoral arteriotomy made & extended in CFA down to SFA, 1-2 cm. Endarterectomy performed. Left limb of graft approximate to arteriotomy. Right femoral arteriotomy performed, extended 2-3 cm into SFA. Endarterectomy performed. Graft applied end to side. Fogarty embolectomy performed, 5 passes, due to no backbleed from SFA. Anastomosis completed, flow reestablished to femoral vessels. Fascia closed. Femoral incisions closed. Am I missing a code or is there a more appropriate code?

Carotid endarterectomy with resection of internal carotid artery

Question ID # 4680 states that is a resection of part of the ICA took place its included within the 35301. It was answered in 2013 and we are wondering if there have been changes?

Facial veins are crossed carotid sheath was ligated and divided. CCA dissected free at the level of the omohyoid. The dissection was then carried out in a cephalad direction until the origin of the ECA and superior thyroid arteries were identified and dissected free. ICA dissected free up to the point where it passed below the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. It was noted to be somewhat redundant in this area, but it was dissected free past the area of stenosis. ECA/ICA and CCA’s were clamped. Arteriotomy in the CCA extended through the carotid bulb onto the ICA beyond the area of stenosis. All loose plaque and debris were removed. About a centimeter and a half of ICA was then resected just distal to the carotid bifurcation. The ICA spatulated suture the ICA was sewn to CCA reforming the back wall. The ECA & CCA were opened. After several heartbeats the ICA open.

WOULD 36901 AND 36002/76942-26 BE CORRECT CODES FOR THIS PROCEDURE

Would 36901 and 36002/76942-26 be the correct codes for this procedure?

"LT ARM AV FISTULA ACCESSED FISTULOGRAM PERFORMED REVEALED NO PSEUDOANEURYSM OFF GRAFT ULTRASOUND USED TO INTERROGATE ARM SHOWING LARGE ANEURYSM W/FLOW AWAY FROM MAIN BRACHIAL ARTERY LIKELY SUGGESTIVE OF A BRANCH OFF THE BRACHIAL ARTERY.ULTRASOUND USED 18-GAUAGE SPINAL NEEDLE ACCESS ACTIVE ANEURYSM SAC INJECTED THROMBIN REPEAT INSPECTION SHOW LOSS OF FLOW IN SAC PATIENT HAD NICE PALPABLE RADIAL ARTERY AND GOOD FLOW INTO AV GRAFT.

PATENT AV GRAFT W/NO EVIDENCE OF ANEURYSM COMING OFF GRAFT ULTRSOUND ELVALUTION SHOWING ANEURYSM SAC MEDIAL TO AV GRAFT BUT FAR AWAY FROM MAIN BRACHIAL ARTERY THERE IS ACTIVE FLOW AFTER THROMBIN INJECTION THERE IS PULSATILITY AND NO FLOW IN ANEUYSM SAC."

76937 Permanent Stored Images with NCCI Change

I know you're swamped with 76937 questions with the new NCCI directive. I appreciate your consistency and diligence in helping us all understand this new directive!

Since 76937 is now bundled with any RS&I codes, does the requirement for permanent stored images essentially transfer to the RS&I code? I.e.: Embolization for hemorrhage is performed; vessel access with ultrasound guidance, but there's no documentation of stored images. Does this represent a reduced service on the embolization, now? Or insufficient documentation?

Thanks in advance!

93286 and 93287

For codes 93286 and 93287, the description states '"in person". We have documentation that does not state the service was provided in person. My question is, does the documentation have to specify that the service was performed in person?

CPT 75625 with 75726

I believe this guidance to be incorrect. Can you please clarify if 75625 should be reported? The celiac “trunk” is a small portion of artery that arises off the aorta. If the IR physician has accessed the right common femoral artery, taken the catheter to the aorta, aortogram done, then selected the celiac trunk only and released dye, the code assigned is 36245, as this is the first branch off of the aorta (75726 S&I). Notice that the coder does not assign a code for the catheter in the aorta (36200), even though the IR MD may have stopped and done an aortogram in the area. This is because a “selective” catherization always includes the “non-selective” catheterization before it. However, 75625 would be assigned for the S&I for aortogram.

34705,37242 with 34709

Our Vascular providers whenever they do abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with 34705 and coil embolization of internal iliac artery they also place an extension graft to the external iliac artery to cover internal iliac artery origin in that side. Do we bill 34709 for this extension into external iliac artery to cover internal iliac origin along with 34705, 37242, and catheter placement?

Question about one of your diagrams

This might be a completely stupid question, but I have been asked this question and don't quite know how to answer it. In your 2024 Interventional Radiology Coding Reference on page 158, can you explain why the superficial femoral on the left side (non-selective side) of the picture is a 1st order, while on the right side of the picture it is a 3rd order? I can't explain why the orders change.

Aortic arch thrombectomy, Thoracic endovascular aortic repair in zone 3

The distal ascending aorta was opened. There was a fragile clot in the distal arch, which was able to be removed with minimal force. There was a small ruptured plaque underlying it. The arch was irrigated and suctioned to remove any residual debris. We elected at this point to cover the ruptured plaque with an endograft. A 26 x 26 x 100 mm Medtronic Valiant endograft was brought onto the field. The Lunderquist wire was passed through the delivery system which was delivered into the visualized aortic lumen and deployed such that it landed in zone 3, just distal to the left common carotid artery. The delivery system was withdrawn. An ophthalmic cautery was used to fenestrate the graft directly opposite the left subclavian artery ostium. Once this was completed, the leading edge of the endograft on the inner curve of the aorta was secured using a 4-0 Prolene pledgeted suture. He would like to bill this as a 33880 and 75956-26 but we wondered if an unlisted code is more appropriate since he was treating thrombus and not an aneurysm?

EVAR 34705 ? 34808 ? 35226

The right common femoral artery had pulsatile bleeding following deployment of both Perclose devices. A third Perclose device was deployed, however, the patient continued to have pulsatile bleeding from the access site. The 16 French sheath was then replaced into the common femoral artery for hemostasis. A 10 blade was then used to make a incision overlying the sheath access. Electrocautery was used to dissect through the subcutaneous tissue and the proximal common femoral and distal common femoral artery to the access site were dissected out and encircled in Vesseloops. The sheath was then removed and the Vesseloops were used for hemostasis. The arteriotomy was freshened with Potts scissors. Using multiple interrupted 5-0 Prolene suture the arteriotomy was then closed. A microcatheter was then placed through the Kumpe catheter into the primary trunk of the right internal iliac artery. 20 mm x 60 mm framing coils were then deployed into the trunk of the right internal iliac artery. This was then followed by four 8 mm x 60 mm filling coils.

Can you bill add-on codes like 93613 and 93621 with 93603 and 93612?

How would you bill the following procedure, 93603, 93612 or can you use additional add-on codes? "An EP catheter was advanced to the RV apex via the SRO a DecaNav catheter was advanced to the right ventricle. The Catheter was withdrawn to the AV groove and placed out the CS. A 3D activation and EP map of the CS wa created using the cardio system. The maximal extent that the CS could be instrumented was to about the 1 o'clock position at which point the local ventricular signal in the CS was largely eqiuvalent to the QRS onset of hte PVC and pace mapping was 85%. Despite extensive efforts, the catheter could not be advanced further. In an effort to get to an earlier point for ablation, the DecaNav catheter was exchanged for an ablation catheter and further mapping points were taken in the area of interest. Despite the bidirectionally of the catheter, the ablation catheter could not be successfully advanced to the primary area of focus. As a result, further attempts at reaching the epicardial PVC focus were abandoned and the procedure was terminated."

Pre and Intraprocedural Echocardiograms

We have times that we perform an echocardiogram pre- or intra-procedural for line placement, ECMO placement, device closures, etc. Would we still bill CPT codes 93303/93308/ 93320/93321/93325

When is it appropriate to use new add on code 93584

If the provider performs a congenital RHC and injects IVC and SVC, do we bill 93584 or 78525 and 78527? What would be considered appropriate documentation for anomalous persistent SCV when it exists as a second contralateral SVC- does that mean if the patient has two SCV and the second one is on the opposite side?

CT or Fluoro guidance

Can you please tell me if this qualifies as CT guidance (77012) or should we be using flouro guidance (77002)? "Patient was positioned prone in the angiography suite. Preliminary CT Images were obtained using the angiography suite identifying an appropriate site for bone marrow biopsy as well as appropriate site for skin access. Under real time fluoroscopic guidance an on control device was advanced to the left ischium." (It goes on to talk about the samples obtained). The last line of the report states "Successful uncomplicated fluoroscopic guided bone marrow biopsy". 

Billing for a partially successful atherectomy

I have an appeal denial from UHC stating that cpt code 37233-59-LT (1 Unit) remains not supported. As per the Society of Interventional Radiology Coding Manual, if an angioplasty or atherectomy of an occlusion is unsuccessful because the lesion cannot be crossed, then the appropriate access and/or selection only should be coded. As such, the request for CPT code 37233 is denied as "Not Documented."

I don't understand this - our provider documented atherectomy/PTA in left AT, and a partially successful atherectomy and PTA of the left PT (residual stenosis). Are we not able to bill for code 37233 for the second vessel because it was partially successful?

CT knee prior o Mako robotic knee replacement

Prior to a Mako robotic knee replacement, a CT is required preoperatively. The CT is used to generate a 3D virtual model of the patient's anatomy. The virtual model is loaded into the Mako System software and used by the surgeon to create a personalized operative plan. Do we bill for CT of the lower extremity? We are starting to see pre-auth denials, so our radiology department is asking if we should use 77011 instead.

Updated iFR facility coding

When assigning the unlisted procedure code 93799 for iFR studies, do we need to add the coronary modifier? Physician performed iFR studies in the LD and RC (93799-LD, 93799-RC).

Lap cholecystectomy with fluorescence imaging

Hello, Will you revise previous advice regarding 47562 vs 47563, for example in question ID 18535, based on Coding Clinic for HCPCS 2nd qtr. 2023? Clarification/correction of the advice in CC 1st qtr 2022 was provided. From my understanding of the advice, imaging with ICG (IVC) is not the same as IOC. Therefore, 47563 would not be appropriate for intravenous ICG cholangiogram, as it requires placing a catheter into the cystic duct to inject contrast. Than you,

Select angios w/o narrative

What is compliant to code on selective angios w/o narrative dictated, i.e. "selective" indicates the vessel catheterized?

Dict:

Procedures Performed - Aortic arch angiogram. Selective brachiocephalic and subclavian angiogram

RCFA access

Findings: Heavily calcified aortic arch with severe atherosclerosis and a 30% aortic narrowing

Heavily calcified occlusion of the left subclavian artery with retrograde filling via the vertebral to the axillary artery

Moderate heavily calcified ostial brachiocephalic stenosis

Patent left carotid artery

36225, 75710-LT, 36215-XS?

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