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Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

0238T and 37221 Allowed for This Iliac Service

Published on Tue Aug 16, 2011

Question: If the physician performs an iliac atherectomy in the same vessel as a stent or an angioplasty, can we report both services?North Carolina SubscriberAnswer: Yes. Based on CPT® 2011 codes, you can report a stent (with or without angioplasty) as 37221 (Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, iliac artery, unilateral, initial vessel; with transluminal stent placement[s], includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed) in addition to the atherectomy (0238T, Transluminal peripheral atherectomy, open or percutaneous, including radiological supervision and interpretation; iliac artery, each vessel).Reporting both a stent and atherectomy with distinct codes is unique to supra-inguinal arteries. For infrainguinal vessels, you'll report only the single code that represents the most intensive service.Here's why: Unlike codes describing atherectomy performed below the inguinal ligaments (such as 37225, Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral/popliteal artery[s], unilateral; with atherectomy, includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed), the Category III codes for supra-inguinal [...]
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