Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What code should I use to report a coil embolization of an arterial septal defect?

Virginia Subscriber

Answer: Generally, you should use code 37204 (Transcatheter occlusion or embolization [e.g., for tumor destruction, to achieve hemostasis, to occlude a vascular malformation], percutaneous, any method, non-central nervous system, non-head or neck) if the carrier wants surgical codes. Report anesthesia during the procedure as 01844 (Anesthesia for vascular shunt, or shunt revision, any type [e.g., dialysis]) or, alternatively, 01905 (Anesthesia for myelography, diskography, vertebroplasty).