Ask Dr. Z

With the pericardiocentesis code updates for 2020, could you please provide guidance regarding the use of 33016 and 33017? What is the difference between a drainage tube that we may see with 33016 and an indwelling catheter we see with 33017? What should we look for when trying to determine the difference? The old code, 33010, was used when drainage access was done percutaneously. Code 33016 doesn't use specific language to that effect, but is that still the same? Similarly for 33017, with the old code there needed to be an incision made, but now the code description states that this is done percutaneously; does that mean an incision is no longer required?