Wiki CABG w/Chest tube insertion

[cmacpc]

Need some direction. Surgeon did CABG & inserted 2 mediastinal a 1 pleural chest tubes. not sure if these a ok to bill. If so I was thinking 32550. I run it thru Encoder & it allows it?
I have never billed the tubes before but now I am ?ing it???

CPT CODES:33533, 33517,32550
Thanks

 

[emoates]

I have heard that bypass surgery includes the placement of 2 chest tubes as part of the procedure. If a third was placed and it is clearly documented why a third was needed then you can bill for the third chest tube. Otherwise it would just be the 33533 and 33517.

The chest tube code I would use is 32551, not the 32550. A 32550 is with a cuff; we use those for malignant effusions, when the tube is going to stay for an extended period of time.