Radiology Coding Alert

You'll also have all-in-one codes for facet joint and IVC filter services.

Below you'll find the CPT® 2012 interventional radiology highlights. Hint: The trend continues for one-stop-shop codes that include imaging with the surgical procedure.

Include Imaging in 6463x

CPT® 2012 replaces 64622-64627 (Destruction by neurolytic agent, paravertebral facet joint nerve ...) with a new range of codes that include imaging guidance:

• 64633, Destruction by neurolytic agent, paravertebral facet joint nerve(s), with imaging guidance (fluoroscopy or CT); cervical or thoracic, single facet joint
• +64634, ... cervical or thoracic, each additional facet joint (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• 64635, ... lumbar or sacral, single facet joint
• +64636, ... lumbar or sacral, each additional facet joint (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).

Toss Out Old Renal Angiography Options

In revising renal angiography code options, CPT® creates codes that include catheter placement, imaging, and more:

• 36251, Selective catheter placement (first-order), main renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture and catheter placement(s), fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; unilateral
• 36252, ... bilateral
• 36253, Superselective catheter placement (one or more second order or higher renal artery branches) renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture, catheterization, fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; unilateral
• 36254, ... bilateral.

Simplify IVC Filter Coding

In 2011, you used component coding for inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion and had to make do with less than optimal code choices for filter removal. In 2012, you'll have all-in-one codes specific to insertion, repositioning, and removal of these filters:

• 37191, Insertion of intravascular vena cava filter, endovascular approach including vascular access, vessel selection, and radiological supervision and interpretation, intraprocedural roadmapping, and imaging guidance (ultrasound and fluoroscopy), when performed
• 37192, Repositioning of intravascular vena cava filter ...
• 37193, Retrieval (removal) of intravascular vena cava filter ...

Check back: Keep an eye on Radiology Coding Alert for in-depth coverage of the 2012 codes.