Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: My cardiologist created an incision and inserted electrode catheters through the patient’s vein. They used imaging guidance to guide the electrode catheters to the right ventricle and right atrium. My cardiologist inserted the leads and attached them to the pulse generator, which they implanted into a pocket below the patient’s ribcage under the abdominal muscles. My cardiologist then evaluated and programmed the pacemaker. Which code should I report?

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Answer: You should report 33208 (Insertion of new or replacement of permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrode(s); atrial and ventricular) for this scenario.

Code 33208 is one of the code choices when your cardiologist either inserts or replaces a permanent pacemaker. Your other codes include 33206 (Insertion of new or replacement of permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrode(s); atrial) and 33207 (… ventricular).

Don’t miss: You should never report codes 33206-33208 in conjunction with codes pacemaker removal codes 33227-33229 or insertion codes 33216 and 33217.

Codes 33206-33206 include the work of subcutaneously inserting the pulse generation and transvenous placement of the electrodes.