Ask Dr. Z

Dr. Z. Can you please provide clarification on the below scenario below: Catheter placement if from a RT femoral access site, catheter is advanced to the aorta, contrast injectected with run off of both extremities. Catheter was exchanged for a SOS 2 cath which was manipulated anegrade in direction and advanced into the SFA. The area of stenosis was angioplastied. Can we use the catheter placement of 36200-59 for the aorta as this is technically another tree as this was retrograde, then physician went antegrade and performed angioplasty. As this has been allowed previously, new literature is only providing generic information stating that a cath placement cannot be charged in addition to intervention. I cannot find anything concrete for documentation to show coders who have this question. Thank you, Tami