Wiki Atherectomy vs Angioplasty

[laschneider]

I have an operative note that indicates an atherectomy was performed to complete a pilot channel through a 90% napkin-ring lesion to facilitate a balloon angioplasty. Would you code this as an angioplasty or atherectomy?

 

[nmkeirn]

I have an operative note that indicates an atherectomy was performed to complete a pilot channel through a 90% napkin-ring lesion to facilitate a balloon angioplasty. Would you code this as an angioplasty or atherectomy?

Yoy should code the angioplasty. I verified this in a medical dictionary and the artherectomy is considered part of the angioplasty.

 

[Jim Pawloski]

Yoy should code the angioplasty. I verified this in a medical dictionary and the artherectomy is considered part of the angioplasty.

If you go back to a question that I submitted a few weeks ago, I was told from someone who went to a Dr.Z's seminar that you bill for the atherectomy, and not the angioplasty. The question is on pg 2 on this site.

Have a good day!,
Jim Pawloski, CIRCC
National Healthcare Review

 

[laschneider]

Thank you very much for your help!