Ask Dr. Z

I had an auditor tell me we can bill for abandoned access in certain cases for cardiac caths. Is this true? Example: "The area of the right wrist was anesthetized with 1% lidocaine injection. Using a micropuncture needle, the right radial artery was attempted to be accessed; however, on ultrasound it was noted to be occluded. The left wrist was then anesthetized, and using a micropuncture needle the left radial artery was accessed and a 6 french Terumo slender glidesheath was inserted using a modified Seldinger technique. Radial cocktail was then given interarterially." They then performed a LHC. Can we bill 36140 for the abandoned access in this case and the LHC? In any case?