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 2014. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

Codes 10140, 97605

Date: Mar 14, 2014

Question:

I have a procedure described as an I&D with debridement. "Patient has a working AV fistula in the same arm. A vascular surgeon opened a lymphocele in the arm 15 cm, which produced bloody serous fluid, no apparent infection. Blood clots observed around base of the wound with no active bleeding. Cautery used for hemostasis of would edge. Culture taken. Attempted fistulogram by several attempts to access the brachial artery with ultrasound failed to obtain access. Wound packed open for future placement of wound VAC." I am finding unlisted procedure code 37799 to describe the open surgical portion of this procedure and 36147 with a -74 modifier for the attempted AV fistulogram. Is there a more appropriate CPT code to describe this procedure?

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!