Anesthesia Coding Alert
Base CABG Graft on Contact Points
Question: If the physician uses one arterial graft but attaches it to two targets, is the correct code 33533 (Coronary artery bypass, using arterial graft[s]; single arterial graft) or 33534 ( two coronary artery grafts)? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: According to a note in CPT under Coronary Artery Bypass Sequential Combined Arterial-Venous Grafting, "To determine the number of bypass grafts in a coronary artery bypass (CABG), count the number of distal anastomoses (contact point[s]) where the bypass graft artery or vein is sutured to the diseased coronary artery(s)." Considering this information and the fact that the procedure you describe attaches to two points, you should report it with 33534.
Anesthesia Coding Alert
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Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Reader Question:
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Question: How should I code an elective sterilization after a delivery? California Subscriber Answer: Code [...] - Reader Question:
Base CABG Graft on Contact Points
Question: If the physician uses one arterial graft but attaches it to two targets, is [...] - Reader Question:
01996 Is a Fee-for-Service Code
Question: Is 01996 a fee-for-service code or does it have a unit value? Utah Subscriber [...] - Reader Question:
Be Careful When Billing Standby
Question: Should I bill for the anesthesiologist's time during a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) [...] - Reader Question:
Bier Block Coding Is GrayArea
Question: How should I code a Bier block? Should I use an unlisted-procedure code such [...] - Reader Question:
Know Guides for Labor and C/S Coding
Question: Two anesthesiologists administered epidurals on a labor patient at different times on the same [...] - Reader Question:
Anesthesia for Digital Block Is Rare
Question: How should I code a digital block of the fingers and toes? Is it [...]
