Ask Dr. Z

We have a surgeon who wants to bill 93882 for a limited carotid ultrasound for the measurements done immediately prior to making the incision for the TCAR procedure. While we understand the clavicle and depth measurments are required to determine if the patient is a candidate for TCAR, the timing of this while the patient is on the table seems not to be the ideal process. The patient has already had a pre-op carotid ultrasound prior to scheduling where these measurements could be captured. Would you consider this a valid charge, or would you consider the ultrasound for sizing and measuring at time of intervention (93882) included in 37215, or should we code it additionally? The physician is also documenting and charging for 76937 for the ultrasound vascular access guidance.