Wiki Complication of Renal Biopsy

[lorismack]

Would like to have some opinions on this scenario please. Renal biopsy (needle) was performed. When the needle was removed, there was bleeding from the needle site. The physician injected gelfoam to embolize the bleeding. Should 37204 and 75894 be coded in addition to the renal biopsy, or not coded because the embolization was for a complication of the biopsy. Thank you for your help with this.

 

[kgodda1]

Bleeding from renal (and liver) biopsy sites is very common and I saw gelfoam used very often as a prophylactic measure when these biopsies were performed. This service is not billable in this case.

 

[Rajebpt]

yes its not billable

 

[wkrumm]

bleed control with gelfoam after biopsy

Hi--

I know this post is an older one, but does anyone know if there is anything documented that it is not appropriate to bill for the gelfoam bleed control as an embolization? I'm getting some push back that something additional to the biopsy should be billed. Any references would be greatly appreciated at this point. Thank you!

Wendi