Radiology Coding Alert

Question: For a chest tube insertion, should we charge 75989 or 77012 for the CT guidance along with 32551?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: You should report 75989 (Radiological guidance [i.e., fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or computed tomography], for percutaneous drainage [e.g., abscess, specimen collection], with placement of catheter, radiological supervision and interpretation) for CT guidance performed with chest tube insertion code 32551 (Tube thoracostomy, includes water seal [e.g., for abscess, hemothorax, empyema], when performed [separate procedure]).

A note with 32551 specifically points you to 75989 for related guidance, including CT guidance.

Although 77012 (Computed tomography guidance for needle placement [e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device], radiological supervision and interpretation) does describe CT guidance, it is specific to needle placement guidance.