Know When Imaging Guidance Is Included in the Procedure
Question: I have an operative note for a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) insertion on a 15-year-old patient. The procedure was performed with ultrasound guidance. I reported 36573 and +76937 on the original claim but it was denied. Can you help me correct the claim? Kansas Subscriber Answer: To correct the claim, you’ll need to delete +76937 (Ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring ultrasound evaluation of potential access sites, documentation of selected vessel patency, concurrent realtime ultrasound visualization of vascular needle entry, with permanent recording and reporting (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)). The procedure code 36573 (Insertion of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC), without subcutaneous port or pump, including all imaging guidance, image documentation, and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation required to perform the insertion; age 5 years or older) features “including all imaging guidance” in the descriptor, which means you do not need to use an image guidance code such as +76937 on your claim. The guidance is bundled into the procedure. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
