Ask Dr. Z

Dr. Z, How is an attempted interventional cardiac procedure coded when no device such as balloon or stent was used in the attempt and no repeat dx coronary study was performed. I can't use an interventional code because I don't have a device C-code to enter with the cpt code. Can the cpt code go through with a -74 on the cpt code because it was aborted after the attempt? Or just go with unlisted code 33999. If there was a dx study done with the atempted intervention, is it just the heart cath code billed or can we add the intervention code on with a modifier? This is when we attempt and have no device code open. Also, I've read that 33999 is used when an impella is inserted. When do you use 33999 (cardiac surg) and 93733 (cardio interv)? Thank you!