Radiology Coding Alert

List and implement the new codes for several key radiological procedures.

Many key changes potentially impact your practice in 2017. In the previous issues of Radiology Coding Alert, Vol 19n1, Vol 18n12, Vol 18n11, you have read about these changes and how you can prepare to embrace the change. Here is a quick recap of these changes.

“It is recommended to update your charge sheets yearly with the new codes. Typically this can be started in November or December of the prior year, so the new codes are ready to be used and remembered on January 1st,” says Michele Midkiff, CPC-I, RCC, an interventional and neuro-interventional radiology coding consultant in Mountain View, CA.

You have nine new codes for dialysis circuit procedures: 36901 (Introduction of needle[s] and/or catheter[s], dialysis circuit, with diagnostic angiography of the dialysis circuit, including all direct puncture[s] …….) ─ 36909 (Dialysis circuit permanent vascular embolization or occlusion [including main circuit or any accessory veins],endovascular, …….). 

You have 3 new codes for moderate sedation: 99151 (Moderate sedation services ……) ─ 99153 (… each additional 15 minutes intraservice time [List separately in addition to code for primary service]).

You have 4 new codes for angioplasty procedures: 37246 (Transluminal balloon angioplasty …… within the same artery; initial artery) ─ +37249 (… each additional vein....).

You have 8 new codes for spinal epidural injections: 62320 (Injection[s], of diagnostic or therapeutic substance[s] ……) ─ 62327 (……… lumbar or sacral [caudal]; with imaging guidance [i.e., fluoroscopy or CT]).

You have 3 new codes for percutaneous cryoablation of nerves: 0440T (Ablation, percutaneous, cryoablation, includes imaging guidance; …..) ─ 0442T (…… nerve plexus or other truncal nerve [e.g., brachial plexus, pudendal nerve]).

You have 4 new codes for spinal device procedures: 22867 (Insertion of interlaminar/interspinous process…) ─ 22870 (……..without open decompression or fusion, including image guidance when performed, lumbar; second level……..)