April 2, 2020 Question: Now that we aren’t limited to HIPAA compliant software, can we use any app or platform to conduct a telemedicine visit? Answer: You may use any app or platform that is not “public facing” according to HHS. Platforms such as Facebook Live, Twitch, and TikTok are considered public facing. Skype, FaceTime,...
March 19, 2020 Question: I’m confused about how to code the catheterization with the new EVAR codes. We still do a bilateral catheterization of the aorta. Can we code 36200 bilaterally? Answer: The new EVAR codes, updated and completely changed in 2018, bundle the aorta catheterization with the main body placement, so 36200, non-selective arterial...
March 5, 2020 Question: We have an office-based vein center and have hears that something called LCDs should be followed before a procedure is performed. We’re not sure what these are, or if they are important and if so, how to integrate them into our office processes. Answer: An LCD is a Local Coverage Determination....
February 20, 2020 Question: Can we bill the 92242 for the indocyanine green injection intraoperatively, for example to assess perfusion after a colectomy or other abdominal procedure? Can we bill for the injection using 15860? Answer: No, this service is included in primary surgery and not separately reported. *This response is based on the best...
February 6, 2020 Question: I’m a general surgeon. Some of my team are reporting the negative pressure wound therapy codes 97605 and 97606 when applying wound vacs after closing at the completion of their surgical cases. As a result, I am told by my coders that billing for these wound vacs is not appropriate, since there...
January 23, 2020 Question: Are there any vascular CPT codes that still allow separate reporting of selective and non-selective catheterization codes? Answer: Yes, the following procedures still allow separate reporting of catheterization codes Non- lower extremely, stenting, angioplasty, for example subclavian or renal arteries Peripheral embolization, for example hypogastric artery embolization during EVAR or uterine...
January 9, 2020 Question: Is catheterization separately reported with renal angiograms? Answer: No. The renal angiogram codes, see table below, include all catherization. The codes are selected by order of catheterization and as unilateral or bilateral. Also, remember that a flush aortogram is included in the renal angiogram codes and not separately reported. CPT Code...
December 19, 2019 Question: Is angiogram of the iliac arteries reported with the pelvic angiogram code, 75736? Answer: No, code 75736, Angiography, pelvis, selective or superselective is only reported with selective or superselective catheterization of the internal iliac arteries (hypogastric arteries) and interpretation of pelvic vasculature. *This response is based on the best information available...
December 5, 2019 Question: How do we code multiple embolectomies of the aorta when using 34201? Do we code units by the number removed? Answer: 34201, Embolectomy or thrombectomy, with or without catheter; femoropopliteal, aortoiliac artery, by leg incision is billed once per leg incision no matter how many emboli are removed from each incision....
November 14, 2019 Question: The physician staged a patient’s bilateral carotid stent with embolic protection procedures. The right carotid stent was done first and then the 6 weeks later the left side was done. What is the correct modifier on the second carotid stent? Answer: The second carotid stent, although staged clinically, is an unrelated...
