Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: I was looking through the codes for interstitial device placement in the AMA CPT manual index and several entries refer to 49410. I couldn't find it in the tabular list. Is 49410 one of the new resequenced codes located out of numerical order? Tennessee Subscriber Answer: No. AMA's errata page indicates you should delete 49410 (which is not a valid CPT code at this time) from the index entry "Placement, Interstitial device, Abdomen." However, it does not suggest a replacement code nor does it address any other 49410 entries in the manual. Solution: As the descriptor for new code 49411(Placement of interstitial device[s] for radiation therapy guidance [e.g., fiducial markers, dosimeter], percutaneous, intra-abdominal, intra-pelvic [except prostate], and/or retroperitoneum, single or multiple) indicates, 49411 is appropriate for intra-abdominal, intra-pelvic, and retroperitoneal interstitial device placement. Keeping tabs on manual corrections is essential to proper coding. For AMA publications, go to the [...]