Radiology Coding Alert

Pull out the red pen to correct a dangerous error in your manual.In 2011, 47490 joined the ranks of "complete" interventional codes -- meaning the encounter requires just one code to represent the procedure and related radiology services. Read on for important information on why CPT created this code and how you're expected to use it.See What Revised 47490 Includes to Earn $365CPT 2011 revised 47490 so that it now represents the "complete" service required for percutaneous creation of an opening in the gallbladder:2010: 47490 -- Percutaneous cholecystostomy2011: 47490 -- Cholecystostomy, percutaneous, complete procedure, including imaging guidance, catheter placement, cholecystogram when performed, and radiological supervision and interpretation.Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a life-saving procedure used to buy time for patients who are too ill to undergo gallbladderremoval, noted the presentation by Geraldine McGinty, MD, MBA, representing the American College of Radiology at the AMA's CPT and RBRVS 2011 Annual Symposium. Medicare's national rate for 47490 [...]