Radiology Coding Alert

Question: You Be the Coder in Radiology Coding Alert, Vol. 11, No. 6, included the scenario below. The article suggested coding 75630, 75774, and 36247. But shouldnt you report 75716 instead of 75630? Scenario: Right common femoral artery was used and a 5 French sheath inserted. I advanced an Omniflush catheter into the distal aorta and performed an aortoiliac bifemoral angiogram. Then I passed a wire up and over into the left superficial femoral artery and brought a glide catheter over into the artery and performed a runoff from the SFA down to the feet. Iliac pictures taken on left with an Omni catheter and iliac pictures on right taken through a 5 French sheath. Right leg runoff taken through 5 French sheath.

Wisconsin Subscriber

Answer: When the radiologist documents findings for the aorta, bilateral iliofemoral, and left leg, the following codes are correct:

" 75630 -- Aortography, abdominal plus bilateral iliofemoral lower extremity, catheter, by serialography,radiological supervision and interpretation

" +75774 -- Angiography, selective, each additional vessel studied after basic examination, radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

" 36247 -- Selective catheter placement, arterial system; initial third order or more selective abdominal, pelvic, or lower extremity artery branch,within a vascular family.

If the radiologist didnt comment on the aorta, but you have documentation of findings on the right side down to the superficial femoral artery, then report the following codes instead:

" 75716 -- Angiography, extremity, bilateral,radiological supervision and interpretation

" +75774

" 36247.