Please note this question was answered in 2021. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.
36556 vs 36561
Question:
"Under sterile conditions the skin above the left clavicle was prepped with chlorhexidine and covered with a sterile drape. Local anesthesia was applied to the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Using anatomical technique, the finder needle was inserted under the clavicle at an appropriate angle and venous appearing blood was obtained. Needle was removed and an 18-gauge needle was then inserted into the same location and angle. Venous appearing non-pulsatile blood was obtained and a guide wire was then passed easily through the needle. The needle was then withdrawn. An incision was made and a dilator was subsequently passed over the guide wire then withdrawn. A 7.0 French triple-lumen catheter was then inserted into the vessel over the guide wire. The guidewire was then removed. All ports aspirated and flushed without difficulty. The catheter was sutured into place. A chlorhexadine biopatch and Tegaderm dressing were both placed." Is this CPT 36556 or 36561 since ports were mentioned? However, there is no two incision, no tunneling, no pocket done.
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