Ask Dr. Z

Codes 35371 and 35875 (fem-pop bypass) do not bundle, but I believe since these are performed through one arteriotomy that only 35371 should be billed. Is this correct?

"At this point we placed profunda clamps on the profunda artery and cinched our vessel loops to obtain proximal control of the common femoral artery. We made an arteriotomy along the lateral aspect of the common femoral artery using 11 blade scalpel. Using Potts scissors we extended our arteriotomy proximally and distally onto the profunda artery. We performed endarterectomy of significant intimal hyperplasia using a freer elevator. At this point the two branches of the profunda artery appeared patent and healthy at this level as well as had good backbleeding. At this point we used a 4-0 Fogarty to perform thrombectomy of the right lower extremity graft. When we were no longer retrieving clot and had good backbleeding we stopped. At this point we performed a patch angioplasty of the femoral and profunda arteries using bovine pericardial patch with a 5-0 running Prolene suture."