May be a no-brainer, but I'm all out of brain this morning
What is the difference between the two codes? (other than you can code S&I w/ 49021 and it is included in 49083).
Have a case where a pigtail catheter was placed via CT guidance to drain what the physician calls "fluid collection/abscess/air" in the abdominoperitoneal cavity.
Is this 49021 or 49083? I used to think if you are draining an abscess it is 49021 and when you remove just fluid such as ascites, it is 49083 but the code description does not seem clear (49083 is a new code). Also i used to think that the difference may be needle use vs catheter but the description for 49083 discusses the use of either.
Please, anyone up to the challenge???????
What is the difference between the two codes? (other than you can code S&I w/ 49021 and it is included in 49083).
Have a case where a pigtail catheter was placed via CT guidance to drain what the physician calls "fluid collection/abscess/air" in the abdominoperitoneal cavity.
Is this 49021 or 49083? I used to think if you are draining an abscess it is 49021 and when you remove just fluid such as ascites, it is 49083 but the code description does not seem clear (49083 is a new code). Also i used to think that the difference may be needle use vs catheter but the description for 49083 discusses the use of either.
Please, anyone up to the challenge???????