Ask Dr. Z

"Patient presented for TEVAR for thoracic aortic ulcer. Bilateral femoral cutdowns were done (34812-50). On the right, pigtail was passed for diagnostic angio (36200). Device sheath could not be advanced due to iliac disease. Common and external iliac stents were placed (37221/37223). Still could not advance device sheath. Right side was abandoned. Device sheath couldn't advance on the left either, so an iliac conduit was placed (34833). Catheter was advanced into arch through conduit (36200-50). TEVAR not covering subclavian was placed (33881/75957). Conduit was then converted to a ilio-common femoral bypass (35665)." Since the right side was abandoned and the stents were placed to facilitate passage of device, can I still code the stents? Can I code the conversion of the conduit as a bypass and as a conduit? Can I report code 36200-50 since the catheter was for the TEVAR, not the stents? Your expertise is greatly appreciated.