Ask Dr. Z

I'm not sure if this should be coded with only 35301, or can we add the selective angio code 36222 (selective CCA with cervical angio) and 36217-59 (select ECA w/o angio) in addition to 35301 prior to the CEA? Patient did have a recent MRA of the neck. "Access was at the right femoral and selective cath of the right CCA with cervical angiogram. The ECA was catheterized, and additional angiogram was performed. Since EPD cath could not cross the stenosis for embolic protection, the carotid stent was aborted. Incision was made in the neck and endarterectomy of ICA was performed." I'm leaning towards 35301-RT only because of the aborted stent procedure, and there was a recent MRA of the neck.