Ask Dr. Z

Ask Dr. Z Knowledge Base houses over 7,500 coding questions and answers dating back to 2013.

Ask Dr. Z Disclaimer

Please note this question was answered in 2022. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

Correct coding for selective catheter placement, ? on post Nuc Med study

Date: Oct 10, 2022

Question:

Important portion of procedure pertinent to my question on selective catheter placement: "The wire was advanced centrally. The catheter was advanced into the abdominal aorta. The celiac artery was selected. The 5 French catheter was advanced to the proper hepatic artery. A microcatheter was inserted through the 5 French catheter. The right hepatic artery was selected. The posterior division of the right hepatic artery was selected inadvertently in an attempt to select the middle hepatic artery. The subsequent arteriogram at confirmed access of the posterior division. There was no tumoral enhancement on delayed imaging. The microcatheter was retracted. The segment 8 branch of the middle hepatic artery was selected. (embolization then performed)."

The provider coded this as 36245, 36246, 36247, and 36248. I believe it should be 36245, 36247, and 36248. Which of us is correct? Also, the provider performed a post embolization nuclear medicine study (78201) three hours later to check on the middle hepatic artery. Is that a billable test?

Sign up for a membership to view the answer to this question.

Need to ask Dr.Z?

Don't see the answer you're looking for in the knowledge base? No problem. You can ask Dr. Z directly!
Ask Dr. Z a question now!