Radiology Coding Alert

Question: How can we report fluoro with pacemaker insertion? Is there guidance for reporting this service?

Missouri Subscriber

Answer: You can look at guidelines for “Pacemaker or Implantable Defibrillator” that apply to 33202 to 33273.

The guideline states 33206-33249, 33262-33264, and 33270-33273 include radiological supervision and interpretation related to the pacemaker or implantable defibrillator procedure. That means those codes include fluoroscopy used to guide the procedure.

Don’t miss: The guideline goes on to say, “To report fluoroscopic guidance for diagnostic lead evaluation without lead insertion, replacement, or revision procedures, use 76000 (Fluoroscopy [separate procedure], up to 1 hour physician or other qualified health care professional time, other than 71023 or 71034 [e.g., cardiac fluoroscopy]).” But in current practice, it is unlikely you would report 76000 during a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator procedure.