Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What is the correct code for removal of a Groshong catheter?

New Jersey Subscriber

Answer: To answer that question, you must know whether the catheter was tunneled or non-tunneled. For the most part, Groshong catheters are tunneled, so assuming that, the correct code representing the procedure is 36589 (Removal of tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump); the anesthesia code is 00400 (Anesthesia for procedures on the integumentary system on the extremities, anterior trunk and perineum; not otherwise specified).

The physician would remove a non-tunneled Groshong catheter just like an IV or a central line. Non-tunneled removal, therefore, does not require an anesthetic, so you would not report the service.