Radiology Coding Alert

Get the official word on what makes 75791 different from 36147.CPT® can pack a lot into one little code. Here's a closer look at just what "arteriovenous shunt created for dialysis [graft/fistula]" means in 36147.The code: The code in focus here and in "36147 Features Official Includes/Excludes Rules in 2012," on page 27, is 36147 (Introduction of needle and/or catheter, arteriovenous shunt created for dialysis [graft/fistula]; initial access with complete radiological evaluation of dialysis access, including fluoroscopy, image documentation and report [includes access of shunt, injection(s) of contrast, and all necessary imaging from the arterial anastomosis and adjacent artery through entire venous outflow including the inferior or superior vena cava]).You'll typically use 36147 when a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is having trouble with his AV shunt for dialysis and requires an evaluation.AV shunt defined: "For diagnostic studies, the arteriovenous (AV) dialysis shunt (AV shunt) is defined as beginning [...]