Part 2:
35475 or 35476 for AV Shunt Angioplasty Depends on 1 Key Factor
Published on Sun Jul 08, 2012
Be sure you catch just how much 35475 covers.When CPT® 2012 added instructions for diagnostic arteriovenous shunt access code 36147, it shed some light on proper coding of interventions, as well. Here's what the new guidance reveals about vessel segments and choosing between venous and arterial intervention codes.For review: Part 1 is in Cardiology Coding Alert, vol. 15, no. 3, "36147: Grasp New Guidance for Diagnostic AV Shunt Coding."Intervention Comprehension Starts With Anatomy To master proper coding for arteriovenous (AV) shunt interventions, you have to know that "the AV shunt is artificially divided into two vessel segments," according to CPT® guidelines. This is important because you calculate the number of interventions based on the number of segments involved rather than the number of lesions.Segment 1: The peripheral segment extends from the peri-arterial (near the artery) anastomosis through the axillary vein. If the shunt has a cephalic venous outflow CPT® includes [...]