Radiology Coding Alert
Note Subtle Differences Between 32020 and 32002
Question: How can we distinguish 32002 from 32020? We confuse these two codes all the time. Mississippi Subscriber Answer: You should report 32002 (Thoracentesis with insertion of tube with or without water seal [e.g., for pneumothorax] [separate procedure]) if the radiologist uses a chest tube with or without a water seal or a Heimlich valve to treat a pneumothorax (for instance, after a lung biopsy). Radiologists usually secure such tubes in place, but they don't normally stitch these as strongly as they secure tubes that they use for fluid drainage.
According to the November 2003 CPT Assistant, you should report 32020 (Tube thoracostomy with or without water seal [e.g., for abscess, hemothorax, empyema] [separate procedure]) if the radiologist inserts a tube into the pleural space for drainage of a pleural effusion or empyema and secures the drain "to remain in place for an extended period of drainage from the pleural space."
Radiology Coding Alert
- Billing G0338-G0340 With 77300? Not So Fast
NCCI 10.2 bundles scores of radiation oncology codes together, but modifiers can separate many new [...] - ICD-9 Introduces DVT, Bronchitis Codes
You have until Oct.1 to implement the new diagnosis code changes Coders, take notice: Before [...] - Shore Up Your Zevalin Therapy Claims With 78804 or 79403
Understand the different codes for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures When your radiation oncologist or nuclear [...] - You Be the Coder:
Should We Report 47382 for Alcohol Ablation?
Question: Our radiologist performed an ultrasound-guided alcohol ablation of a liver cyst through a catheter [...] - News You Can Use:
New 'T' Codes Replace 74150, 76375 for Virtual Colonoscopy
Category III codes replace less specific Category I codes July 1 has come and gone, [...] - Reader Question:
Want Extra Pay? Keep Extra Documentation
Question: We perform daily monitoring sonograms and report CPT 76830 for them. Should [...] - Reader Question:
Include Pressure Measurement With Catheter
Question: Our radiologist performed a selective catheterization of the renal artery and also ran an [...] - Clarification:
Report 49424 When You Assess Abscess or Cyst
The June 2004 You Be the Coder titled "How Should We Report a G-Tube Patency [...] - Reader Question:
Note Subtle Differences Between 32020 and 32002
Question: How can we distinguish 32002 from 32020? We confuse these two codes all the [...] - Reader Question:
Obtain History From Patient as Exception, Not Rule
Question: In the June 2004 article "ICD-9 V71.89 : It's Not a Quick Radiology [...] - Reader Question:
Medicare Accepts G0254; Private Payers Prefer 78810
Question: My insurer denied a claim when we reported G0254. The payer requested that we [...]
