Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

CVP Is Reportable With LHC

Question: If the physician places a CVP line (36556) in a jugular vein before a complete LHC with coronary angiography (femoral access), is the CVP separately reportable?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer:

You should be able to report the two codes together. Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits do not bundle 36556 (Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; age 5 years or older) and 93458 (Catheter placement in coronary artery[s] for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection[s] for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection[s] for left ventriculography, when performed).

These two services require two separate access sites. The physician placed the CVP (central venous pressure) line through the jugular vein and performed the complete LHC (left heart catheterization) with coronary angiography through femoral access.

Keep in mind: If another physician, such as an anesthesiologist, inserts the CVP, the cardiologist should not report the service.

Other Articles in this issue of

Cardiology Coding Alert

View All