CPT® 2012: 33227-33229 Transform Pacemaker Battery Change Coding

Celebrate an easierr way to report lone electrode repair in a dual-chamber system.

Each CPT® update brings an enormous overhaul of a diverse cardiology coding area, and 2012 will definitely be no exception. Starting January 1, you’ll report pacemaker as well as pacing cardioverter-defibrillator surgical services in a completely different way.

To help ease the task of acing these changes, here is the big picture view of the new codes for CPT.

Complete System: 33206-33208 and 33249 Get a Makeover

Pacemaker and pacing cardioverter-defibrillator codes for CPT are in the limelight in 2012, and the updates start with codes for comprehensive systems.

CPT® will include the following bold, italicized text to the definitions of 33206-33208: "Insertion of new or replacement of permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrode(s) ..."

For a pacing cardioverter-defibrillator, 33249 modifies as follows:

2011: Insertion or repositioning of electrode lead(s) for single or dual chamber pacing cardioverter-defibrillator as well as insertion of pulse generator

2012: Insertion or replacement of permanent pacing cardioverter-defibrillator system including transvenous lead(s), single or dual chamber.

Electrode Repair Receives a Needed Update

When you require to code electrode repair, you’ll select between these revised codes for CPT:

33218, i.e. Repair of single transvenous electrode, along woth permanent pacemaker or pacing cardioverter-defibrillator

33220, i.e. Repair of 2 transvenous electrodes meant for permanent pacemaker or pacing cardioverter-defibrillator.

Helpful: The change solves confusion over how you should code repair of a single electrode in a dual-chamber system. In 2011, the code definitions propose no clear solution as 33218 references repair of one electrode in a single-chamber system and 33220 refers to repair of two electrodes in a dual-chamber system.

For More Information :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-cardiology-coding-alert/cpt-2012-33227-33229-revolutionize-pacemaker-battery-change-coding-108778-article

2 Codes No Longer Required for Battery Change

In 2012, coding for removing as well as replacing a pulse generator at a single session will turn very different. This service is frequently called a battery change. In 2011, you report a single code for the removal and then a second code for inserting the new pulse generator. In 2012, you’ll report a single code that captures both the removal and the insertion.

The following listed new Codes for CPT will define pacemaker pulse generator removal with replacement:

33227, i.e. Removal of permanent pacemaker pulse generator including replacement of pacemaker pulse generator; single lead system

33228, i.e.... dual lead system

33229, i.e.... multiple lead system.

CPT similarly adds codes to explain the replacement of a pacing cardioverter-defibrillator pulse generator:

33262, i.e. Removal of pacing cardioverter-defibrillator pulse generator with replacement of pacing cardioverter-defibrillator; single lead system

33263, i.e. ... dual lead system

33264, i.e. ... multiple lead system.