CCI:
+76937 No Longer Needs Modifier 59 With 36147
Published on Thu Apr 12, 2012
This isn't an automatic green light for the ultrasound code, though.A recent Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edit deletion will simplify reporting ultrasound guidance with arteriovenous (AV) shunt access.CCI version 18.1 deletes the following edit, according to Frank Cohen, principal and senior analyst for The Frank Cohen Group, in his NCCI Change Analysis 18.1:Column 1: 36147 (Introduction of needle and/or catheter, arteriovenous shunt created for dialysis [graft/fistula]; initial access with complete radiological evaluation of dialysis access, including fluoroscopy, image documentation and report [includes access of shunt, injection(s) of contrast, and all necessary imaging from the arterial anastomosis and adjacent artery through entire venous outflow including the inferior or superior vena cava])Column 2: +76937 (Ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring ultrasound evaluation of potential access sites, documentation of selected vessel patency, concurrent realtime ultrasound visualization of vascular needle entry, with permanent recording and reporting [List separately in addition to code for primary [...]