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Cardiology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Try This Port-a-Cath Pop Quiz

Published on Sun Jul 08, 2012

Question: How should I code a non-tunneled Port-a-Cath placement under fluoroscopy for a 56-year-old patient? There was a 4 cm incision made to incorporate the guidewire in the infraclavicular area.Codify MemberAnswer: Because the case involves a Port-a-Cath, you need a tunneled code, such as 36561 (Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous access device, with subcutaneous port; age 5 years or older), rather than a non-tunneled code. Here's why: According to CPT® Assistant (December 2009), "it is not procedurally possible to insert a catheter with a port attached in a manner that is not tunneled." According to the article, "tunneled" means the physician creates a subcutaneous pocket for an implanted central venous access port "with the catheter being tunneled from the vein of choice through the subcutaneous tissue to the implanted central venous device. The central venous catheter is then internally connected to the port device."You also should verify the [...]
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