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 2012. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

Tunneled catheter removal

Date: Mar 20, 2012

Question:

If a patient has an existing infected tunneled catheter that is still in the correct position and the radiologist removes it, the code used is 36589 and is dictated. If the catheter is pulled so that only the catheter remains under the skin, the cuff is out, and the radiologist has the nurse or technologist remove the catheter, would that change the coding or the dictation?
Question ID : 3561
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!