Ask Dr. Z

"The patient has acute bilateral iliac DVTs with IVC thrombus. The Excel mechanical thrombectomy catheter was advanced, and a single pass was performed through the left external iliac vein. Attention was then turned to the right common iliac, and using the Bold mechanical thrombectomy catheter and appropriate tension over the confluence. Subacute to chronic appearing thrombus was removed."

Can this be coded as 37187-50 since it was done on both sides, in two different vascular families? Or should it be coded as one 37187? And if they also did a mechanical thrombectomy of the IVC at the same session as the bilateral thrombectomies, can this also be picked up with 37187?