CPT's parenthetical notes following 92980-+92981 offer rules for proper reporting that you cannot afford to miss.
CPT codes lookup, CPT Code list, CPT Assistant, Medical Coding
Prior to making your coding decision, identify the vessels involved.
CPT's parenthetical notes following 92980-+92981 offer rules for proper reporting that you cannot afford to miss. The notes reveal the following key points on what is and is not included.
Include these same-artery services
CPT's parenthetical notes following 92980-+92981 offer rules for proper reporting that you cannot afford to miss. The notes reveal the following key points on what is and is not included.
Include these same-artery services
CPT states that coronary angioplasty and/or atherectomy in the same artery as the stent placement is not separately reportable for the same encounter.
Separate vessel could mean separately reportable
If your cardiologist carries out stenting in one coronary vessel, and angioplasty or atherectomy procedures in a different coronary vessel, the angioplasty or atherectomy is not included in the stent code. As such, you may report those services separately.
Article Source :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-cardiology-coding-alert/stent-coding-let-add-on-codes-add-to-your-92980-bottom-line-article
Important: When coding interventions on more than one coronary vessel during the same session, the first code should be for the highest level procedure carried out on any vessel.
The hierarchy is stenting before atherectomy prior to balloon angioplasty.
Bonus tip: Remember that proper reporting for the above two-vessel instance calls for reporting the ‘single vessel' stent code 92980 with ‘additional vessel' code 92982 as the codes represent two different types of procedures. However CPT guides you to the right codes by stating under the stent codes. To report additional vessels treated by angioplasty or atherectomy only during the same session. That apart, CPT Assistant (December 1996) indicates that 92980 with +92984 is proper coding for stent placement in one vessel and angioplasty in another.
For more on this and the entire CPT code list, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a site comes with a CPT codes lookup tool to assist you in your coding and help you get the rightful reimbursements.
HOW IS ANGIOPLASTY CARRIED OUT
ReplyDeleteIn today’s modern world, changing lifestyles are leading to increase in the number of diseases related to the heart. With that, many techniques of surgery for the heart have come up. Of all the available options for surgery, Angioplasty has proved to be one of the safest ways.
Angioplasty was first used in the late 70’s. It involves the widening of an obstructed blood artery, which has happened because of atherosclerosis, by mechanical means. A balloon catheter, which is an empty one and is collapsed, is taken and it is passed through the location where the surgery is to be done. Then the catheter is inflated by pressure which is around 200 times compared to that of the blood pressure.
The inflated balloon has sufficient pressure in it to crush most of the fatty deposits on the sides of the artery walls. Thus, the artery opens up properly and the flow becomes proper and the obstruction is now minimal. After this is done, the catheter is collapsed and made empty and is finally withdrawn.
Angioplasty is of several types based on the location of the arteries which have been blocked. Some of these are Renal, Cerebral, Coronary, etc.
Once Angioplasty is done, the patient is kept under observation for a day or two. The blood pressure is monitored continuously along with the heart beat rate. Proper medications are given if necessary.
Since the time from which it has been put to use, Angioplasty has helped lot of patients and has saved their life. The best outcome of it is the prevention of heart attacks and bypass surgeries.