Ask Dr. Z

Provider #1 opened the left subclavian pocket and removed the pacemaker generator, untangled leads, and enlarged pocket to accommodate new pacemaker generator and leads. Provider #1 than assisted Provider #2 with laser lead extraction and implantation of the new generator. Each provider dictated separate reports with details of their portion of the procedure noting the other provider as assistant or lead. This is not a teaching facility, and I only code for Provider #1 and do not know how Provider #2 is coding. Would Provider #1 only code for the generator removal (33233)? Or how should they be coding these scenarios when they remove the generator and then act as an assist to the lead removal and placement of new generator and leads?