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Cardiology Coding Alert

CPT® Overview:

Batten Down the Hatches for Changes to LV Pacing, Thrombectomy, and More

Published on Mon Oct 08, 2012

You're 12 bullets away from a better understanding of CPT® 2013.In what's becoming an annual tradition, cardiology procedure coding has a large number of modifications planned for the New Year. Cardiology Coding Alert will focus on the following changes in the coming months, including updates after the codes are finalized later in the fall.LV pacing: +33225 will see a minor revision, removing pocket revision from the descriptor.Fluid removal from chest: Pneumocentesis and thoracentesis codes 32420-32422 will be deleted. New codes for pleural aspiration (32554, 32555) and pleural drainage (32556, 32557) will take their place. Tube thoracostomy code 32551 will be revised to specify that it's an open procedure. These changes should help clarify proper coding, says Lori Hendrix, CPC, CPC-I, CPC-H, CIRCC, PCS, FCS, senior project coordinator, compliance department, for Wellstar in Georgia. A common area for confusion is "aspiration versus the drainage tube, and the new codes explain it [...]
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