Cardiology Coding Alert

Ring in the New Year with updates for IVC filters, too.The trend toward more all-in-one codes isn't slowing under CPT® 2012. Renal angiography and IVC filter procedures will see new codes that combine surgical and imaging services into one neat package. Replace Your Old Renal Angiography CodesRenal angiography sports four new codes effective Jan. 1, 2012. Key elements distinguishing the codes include whether the service is first order or higher and whether the service is unilateral or bilateral:36251, Selective catheter placement (first-order), main renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture and catheter placement(s), fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; unilateral36252, ... bilateral36253, Superselective catheter placement (one or more second order or higher renal artery branches) renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including [...]