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33210
Date: Sep 20, 2012
Question:
A patient presents with an infected pacemaker system. The patient's system is completely removed, but the patient is pacer dependent, so temporary pacing is warranted. Instead of using a typical temporary pacing wire with booker box, the provider takes the patient's old generator, and uses it as the temporary pacemaker generator by externalizing it (taping it to the patient's chest). The patient will return in the next couple of days for reimplant with a completely new system (new gen and leads). Would you bill 33210 for this procedure, or go unlisted with 33999?
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