Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
Why-And When-You Should Stop Writing Off Modified Maze Procedures
When your surgeon performs the modified maze procedure at the same session as another surgery in 2007, you may have to write it off because existing codes 33254-33256 are only for stand-alone procedures.
But 2008 brings better options. In January, you-ll have three new add-on codes (33257-33259) for when your surgeon performs the modified-maze along with a primary procedure. The three new codes break down into limited, extensive without cardiopulmonary bypass and extensive with cardiopulmonary bypass.
More new cardiovascular surgery codes:
- When your doctor collects a blood specimen, you-ll have two new codes. CPT code 36591 covers collection from a completely implantable Venous Access Device (VAD), while 36592 covers collection from an established central or peripheral venous catheter, which is -not otherwise specified.-
- A cutting-edge aortic valve graft procedure, known as the Tirone David Procedure or the Yacoub Procedure, gets its own code (33864). This involves an ascending aorta graft with a cardiopulmonary bypass for valve suspension. It also includes coronary reconstruction and -valve-sparing aortic annulus remodeling.-
Because the aortic valve is such a complex structure, no valve prosthesis can duplicate its function. So surgeons have developed procedures that either spare the aortic valve or replace it with -very similar autologous tissue,- according to an Aug. 2006 article in the German journal Herz. (-Reconstructive surgery of the aortic valve: the Ross, David and Yacoub Procedures.-)
- When your physician places a wireless physiologic sensor in the aneurismal sac during an endovascular repair, you-ll have a new code (34806) to report this procedure. It includes radiological supervision and interpretation, instrument calibration, and collection of pressure data. There's also a new code for a bypass graft with vein, in the brachial-ulnar or brachial-radial region (35523).
- You can report declotting by a thrombolytic agent, or implanted vascular access device or catheter, using new code 36593.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- CPT 2008 SPECIAL ISSUE:
Medicare May Soon Cover FDG-PET Scans For Infection
CPT descriptor changes pave the way for coverage
With all the bad news that's hit imaging [...] - CPT 2008 SPECIAL ISSUE:
New Codes Will Ease Non-Chemo Infusion Coding
Your NPP's participation in long team conferences may lead to reimbursement
Good news: If you-ve had [...] - CPT 2008 SPECIAL ISSUE:
Pay Attention To Cardiac MRI Documentation--Reap Rewards
Gain proper reimbursement for gastrostomy tube conversion next year
It's official: The American Medical Association (AMA) [...] - Why-And When-You Should Stop Writing Off Modified Maze Procedures
When your surgeon performs the modified maze procedure at the same session as another surgery [...] - UROLOGY MYTHBUSTER:
Ensure Your Robotic-Assist Coding Is Living Up to Its Potential
Key: Do payor-specific research before adding S2900 to another claim
Myth: You can never get paid [...] - Elbow Aside Those Unlisted Codes For Tennis Elbow Surgery
Fracture care will gain some new codes in 2008. For example, new codes 27267-27268 cover [...] - CPT 2008 SPECIAL ISSUE:
Prepare To Code For Computer-Assisted Surgeries Next Year
Choosing an abdominal lesion excision code will get easier
Cutting-edge surgeries and common procedures that your [...] - Part B Coding Coach:
Nail Down The 16-Minute Infusion Rule For Bulletproof Claims
Here's why time matters on multi-substance infusion sessions
When your physician performs an infusion involving multiple [...] - Test Your 90765-90768 Coding Skills
Determine where to focus your infusion coding education with this quiz
You aren't alone if you [...] - PHYSICIAN NOTES:
You Can't Change The Terms Of Relocation Bonuses After The Doctor's Already Relocated
AMA blitzes the airwaves to stop Medicare pay cuts
Now that the Centers for Medicare & [...]
