Use an ERCP Code for a Bile Duct Blood Clot Removal
Question: We have a procedure report that indicates the physician performed balloon sweeps to remove a large blood clot in the bile duct. There was a small amount of red blood drainage following the clot removal. What CPT® code should we report? Arkansas Subscriber Answer: Assign 43264 (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); with removal of calculi/debris from biliary/pancreatic duct(s)) on the claim to report this procedure. The descriptor includes “removal of calculi/debris from biliary/pancreatic duct(s),” which covers the blood clot located in the bile duct. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a diagnostic procedure where the provider guides an upper endoscope into the gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts. During the procedure, the physician also performs a retrograde injection of contrast material into the biliary ducts to obtain images of the anatomic structures. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Development Editor, AAPC
