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Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Tackle TPA Installation for Declot

Published on Tue Jul 27, 2010

Question:We had a patient come into the clinic for a TPA installation to break up blockage that prevented the nurse from drawing blood out of the port. Are 96365-+96366 correct for this service?Rhode Island SubscriberAnswer:You should report 36593 (Declotting by thrombolytic agent of implanted vascular access device or catheter) for this service. TPA (tissue plasminogen activator) is a thrombolytic agent, which the code requires by definition. Be sure also to report the specific thrombolytic agent using a HCPCS "J" code, and take care to report the correct units for the amount used to declot the port.Code 36593 is specific to the service you describe. Codes 96365-+96366 (Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis [specify substance or drug] ...) would not be appropriate for this service.Tip: You should report 36593 only once per episode even if the patient requires multiple administrations of TPA during a single session, according to CPT Assistant (December [...]
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