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37230 and 37233

Date: Jan 13, 2022

Question:

My physician performed a right anterior tibial artery atherectomy and angioplasty as well as a right posterior tibial artery angioplasty and stent. I reported code 37230 for the PTA stent/PTA and 37233 for the ATA atherectomy/PTA. The insurance (NY Empire Blue Shield) is denying the 37233 since it doesn't have a primary code assigned. Isn't 37230 the primary code? Am I assigning the incorrect codes for this procedure? Don't you assign the highest code first and then use the add-on code for the lesser procedure when the arteries are in the same territory?

Question ID : 15515
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