Appendix Lin CPT code book consist of Vascular families. I think Interventional radiology (IVR) coders will be aware of Vascular families and the some of the coding rules for coding each family. By the way, the coding rules are same for each family.
There are three basic rules which need to be followed while Coding Vascular Families. If you follow these basic rules you will understand how the codes are arranged and coded in Vascular Family. Before that I would first make you understand about “Selective and Non-Selective catheterization” concept.
The movement and the tip of catheter in the artery is responsible for reporting the correct procedure code. Aorta is the biggest artery in the human body and all vascular families arises from aorta. Remember below two points always:
·
"When the catheter is in Aorta, it is always reported as Non-Selective catheterization (CPT code 36200).
· When the catheter crosses Aorta and enters a vascular family, the Selective catheterization codes are reported (36215-36218) (36245-36248).
Hope, this will give very clear picture about vascular coding. Now, let us move forward to look at the coding rules applied for vascular families.
Coding rules for Vascular Families
First rule: Selective catheterization will always include the non-selective catheterization for same Access
Since, the catheter has to cross Aorta (non-selective) to enter a vascular family artery (selective), it is obvious the selective catheterization will include the non-selective catheterization of artery.
Second rule: Code each Vascular family separately
This is very simple to understand; the coders have to code each vascular family separately.
Each vascular family have separate set of codes, for example for upper extremity vascular family we have to report 36215-36218 series, while for lower extremity vascular family we have to report 36245-36248 series CPT codes.
Third rule: Code each access Separately
This is very important to understand, if there are separate access in a vascular family, then code each access separately. Since each access will start the procedure from the beginning, hence each access will be coded separately.
So, when we have to code two access separately in same vascular family, 59 or X{EPSU} modifier will help to bill all the procedures.
Hope, all the rules will clear your doubts about coding vascular families.
This post first appeared on Interventional Radiology Medical Coding - Learn How To Code, please read the originial post: here
