Please note this question was answered in 2021. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.
Pacemaker Upgrade
Question:
We recently encountered an upgrade.
Old device: Manufacturer: St Jude Medical. Model: Assurity MRI 2272 Pacemaker
New device: Manufacturer: St Jude Medical. Model: Quadra Allure MP 3562.
St. Jude quadripolar left ventricular pacing lead.
The two old leads (RA and RV) were disconnected from the old PM device that was removed, cleaned, dried, and connected to the new device generator.
My question is, should this be coded with 33249 or 33229? I was confused when your coding tips said, "Report 33229 when existing system has multiple or more than two leads." In this case, the existing PM was a dual system. Our cath lab charged 33249, but medical records coded 33229.
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