Ask Dr. Z

Can we bill for the brachial artery exposure? What is the code? "Brachial artery was identified, dissected free, and then controlled proximally and distally with vessel loops. The artery was then accessed using micropuncture kit, which was subsequently upsized over the wire to a 5 French sheath. Then an Omniflush cath and guidewire were used to enter into the subclavian artery and down to the descending thoracic aorta. A Benson wire and a 90 cm 6 French sheath were then advanced over the wire and positioned just into the right limb of a previous aorto-bi-femoral bypass. Of note, the original bypass did have separate limbs that went to the external iliacs as well as right internal iliac artery aneurysm sac and into its main branch. I advanced 4 French catheter through the primary aneurysm sac and into this first branch vessel. I then advanced Lantern cath for coil deployment into the main branch, and I began to deploy coils up to the point that there were multiple branching points, which would also be occluded. I then packed the main aneurysm sac with multiple coils. Deployment of eight separate coils, which consisted of packing and POD coils."