Wiki Pacemaker generator

[brittany1356]

Hello. I am coding a pacemaker generator at end of life, the physician replaced the generator only. I am reporting 33213 and 33233 everywhere I look says that I need modifier 51 appended to the removal of the generator, however I am being told that it is not neccessary. Any suggestions?

Also, diagnotic coding for this procedure is leading me to V53.31 because it is not a malfunction or any other complications the pacer generator is simply at "end of life". Thank you for your help!

Brittany, CPC-A

 

[TonyaMichelle]

No, you do not need a modifier for those codes. The guidelines instructs you to code the removal with the replacement and the V code looks good to me.

 

[brittany1356]

Thank you for your help!

Brittany, CPC-A