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Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Few Diagnoses Support IABP

Published on Thu Mar 23, 2006

Question: I'm looking for the code for intra-aorta balloon catheter through skin. It was 93536, but I know that is no longer a valid code. Could it be 36200?


Mississippi Subscriber
Answer: You should use 33967 (Insertion of intra-aortic balloon assist device, percutaneous).

Note: You must code the diagnoses according to your cardiologist's documentation. Keep in mind that few diagnoses will support the claim for an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). CHF (congestive heart failure, 428.0) and cardiogenic shock (785.51) both support the IABP for the hemodynamic support at the time of the left heart cath.

If you have the supporting documentation, you may also try to submit the claim if the patient has unstable angina (411.1) or respiratory failure (518.81).

You should not use 36200 (Introduction of catheter, aorta) because it represents a component of diagnostic studies performed in the aorta. Insertion of an IAPB is a separately reported therapeutic procedure.
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