tkschneider
New
I would like insight into how you would code the following stent removal not in the same area as subsequent placement(s) - 1 stent removed from biliary tree, 1 stent placed into left hepatic duct, 1 stent placed into right hepatic duct.
73274,73274.59, but what for the stent removal? 43275 can't be billed with 73274. 43276 then I can't use 73274 for 2nd stent placement. Thoughts?
One stent was removed from the biliary tree using a snare. The stent was found to be occluded via the water column test. A short 0.035 inch Soft Jagwire was passed into the biliary tree into the right intrahepatic ducts. The short-nosed traction sphincterotome was passed over the guidewire and the bile duct was then deeply cannulated....The upper third of the main bile duct, hepatic duct bifurcation and left and right hepatic ducts separately (Bismuth II) contained a single segmental stenosis 15 mm in length. A short 0.035 inch Soft Jagwire passed successfully into the left intrahepatic branches. The hepatic duct bifurcation and the left main hepatic duct were successfully dilated with an 8 mm balloon dilator. One 10 mm by 8 cm transpapillary uncovered metal stent was placed 7 cm into the left hepatic duct. Bile flowed through the stent. The stent was in good position. One 10 mm by 8 cm transpapillary uncovered metal stent was placed 6.5 cm into the right hepatic duct. Bile flowed through the stent. The stent was in good position.
73274,73274.59, but what for the stent removal? 43275 can't be billed with 73274. 43276 then I can't use 73274 for 2nd stent placement. Thoughts?