Ask Dr. Z

There is no CPT code for the exchange of a Tunnelled Pleurx Chest Catheter. What is your coding recommendation for the case example below: a) unlisted CPT code or b) 49424/76080?? "Chest and abdomen were prepped and draped in usual sterile fashion. The right-sided chest tube was removed over a stiff Glidewire, which allowed for placement of an 11 French peel-away sheath. After successful creation of a subcutaneous tunnel, the 11 French Pleurx catheter was advanced through the tunnel and through the peel-away sheath into the right-sided thoracic cavity. The incision was closed with 4-0 Prolene. Catheter was secured to the skin at the exit site from the tunnel with 2-0 Monosoft suture."