Ask Dr. Z

Good morning, Dr. Z We are seeing an increase in intracranial stent with mechanical thrombectomy cases where the standard embolic protection filter device is not able to be used. The patient has a known clot that is not able to be treated until the vessel is opened with the stent placement. The doctors have started using a Merci Concentric DAC dual lumen balloon guide catheter instead of the filter since it provides the necesssary embolic protection and also provides the necessary support for the thrombectomy device being used--"Solitaire" in most of these cases. My question is, if the documentation supports the use of the Merci balloon as embolic protection, even though it has a dual purpose, are we allowed to code the stenting procedures as 37215?? If so, what recommmendations do you have for documentation. Also does Medicare recognize these balloons as embolic devices?? Thanks from TL in KC, MO