Ask Dr. Z

The intended procedure was an EP study with an ablation for atrial fibrillation. The physician had just completed the 3D map of the right atrium and then advanced the catheter into the coronary sinus. While making their placement for a transseptal shealth, the physician noted a significant amount of arterial bleeding. When the bleeding could not be controlled the decision was made to terminate the procedure and remove the right-sided sheaths. There is some debate as to whether we can report code 93619 with a -53 modifier, or if we need to report with an unlisted code, seeing that 93613 is an add-on code that needs a primary procedure.