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Diagnostic Venography and IVUS to determine May Thurner

Date: Aug 11, 2021

Question:

Provider performs a diagnostic procedure to determine if the patient has May-Thurner syndrome.

From the right jugular vein, the provider selects the left renal vein and performs a venography (36011-59LT, 75820-LT). The provider selects the left common femoral vein and performs a venography (36012-LT, 75820-LT). He then performs IVUS and takes measurements of the common femoral, external iliac, common iliac and IVC (37252, 37253x3). Next the catheter is placed in the right femoral vein and takes IVUS measurements of the common femoral, external iliac, and common iliac (36012-RT, 37253x3). Right side venography was NOT performed.

I know 37253 has an MUE of 5. My question is whether it is okay to bill for all these IVUS codes? Since he was performing a diagnostic study to determine whether this patient had May-Thurner, I thought this may be appropriate? I know we are not supposed to bill additional units of IVUS for routine pullback. I am having difficulty determining what would constitute pullback during a diagnostic or interventional procedure.

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