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Cardiology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Know if Your Cardiologist Moves Leads

Published on Wed Mar 23, 2005

Question: Which procedure code should I use when the cardiologist moves an ICD from the left side to the right side? Would this be 33249?

Texas Subscriber 

Answer: If the cardiologist is simply moving the generator, the correct code would be 33223 (Revision of skin pocket for single or dual chamber pacing cardioverter-defibrillator).
 
Keep in mind: The cardiologist cannot move the generator without moving the leads connected to it. However, this scenario does not require the cardiologist to move the distal end of the leads (those that go into the heart).
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