2011 has lots of changes as far as CPT codes and guidelines for your cardiology services are concerned. Here's a lowdown on this year's CPT codes that'll stand your cardiology coding in good stead.
Among the key changes, CPT 2011 has added new codes for lower extremity endovascular revascularization which includes angioplasty, atherectomy and stenting. This year's femoral/popliteal service codes include 37224 for angioplasty, 37225 for atherectomy (and angioplasty), 37226 for stent (and angioplasty) and 37227 for stent and atherectomy (and angioplasty).
Generally, for 37224-37227, you should go for one code that represents the most intensive service carried out in a single lower extremity vessel. Say for instance when the cardiologist carries out a stent placement, atherectomy, and angioplasty in the left popliteal vessel, you should use only 37227. This code includes stent placement, atherectomy, and angioplasty. In this situation, you shouldn't use the three codes 37224, 37225, or for that matter 37226 separately or in addition to 37227.
Territory rule:
This year's CPT codes - 37220-+37235- apply to different 'territories' and each territory has its own specific set of guidelines. The codes - 37224-37227 - fall under the femoral/popliteal vascular territory.
Important rule: According to CPT, the whole femoral/popliteal territory in 1 lower extremity is taken as a single vessel for CPT coding.
As such, you should go for a single code even if the cardiologist carried out various interventions for several lesions in the political artery and in the common, deep, and superficial femoral arteries in the same leg during the same session.
In situations like this, you should use the code for the most complex service. Say for instance if the cardiologist carries out angioplasty in the left popliteal artery and atherectomy in the left common femoral, you should go for atherectomy code 37225 only.
Remember: The codes are unilateral, which means they apply to a service on a single side of the body. According to CPT, if the physician treats the identical territory in both legs at the same session, you should go for modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) to indicate both legs are involved.
Get information on CPT codes online by signing up for a reliable medical coding resource like SuperCoder.com.
Among the key changes, CPT 2011 has added new codes for lower extremity endovascular revascularization which includes angioplasty, atherectomy and stenting. This year's femoral/popliteal service codes include 37224 for angioplasty, 37225 for atherectomy (and angioplasty), 37226 for stent (and angioplasty) and 37227 for stent and atherectomy (and angioplasty).
Generally, for 37224-37227, you should go for one code that represents the most intensive service carried out in a single lower extremity vessel. Say for instance when the cardiologist carries out a stent placement, atherectomy, and angioplasty in the left popliteal vessel, you should use only 37227. This code includes stent placement, atherectomy, and angioplasty. In this situation, you shouldn't use the three codes 37224, 37225, or for that matter 37226 separately or in addition to 37227.
Territory rule:
This year's CPT codes - 37220-+37235- apply to different 'territories' and each territory has its own specific set of guidelines. The codes - 37224-37227 - fall under the femoral/popliteal vascular territory.
Important rule: According to CPT, the whole femoral/popliteal territory in 1 lower extremity is taken as a single vessel for CPT coding.
As such, you should go for a single code even if the cardiologist carried out various interventions for several lesions in the political artery and in the common, deep, and superficial femoral arteries in the same leg during the same session.
In situations like this, you should use the code for the most complex service. Say for instance if the cardiologist carries out angioplasty in the left popliteal artery and atherectomy in the left common femoral, you should go for atherectomy code 37225 only.
Remember: The codes are unilateral, which means they apply to a service on a single side of the body. According to CPT, if the physician treats the identical territory in both legs at the same session, you should go for modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) to indicate both legs are involved.
Get information on CPT codes online by signing up for a reliable medical coding resource like SuperCoder.com.
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