Wiki Saphenous vein harvest performed by Physician assistant during CABG

[ajordan@AnMed.org]

I was told during training to code 33508 for the saphenous vein harvest that the Physician Assistant performed during the CABG. Can I charge 33508 with a AS modifier if the PA performs?

 

[ellis3350]

The PA can bill with AS modifier for the whole procedure if documented correctly.

 

[kromano]

PA cannot bill that code alone as it's an add on code but if they assisted in the CABG the PA can bill for both

 

[ajordan@AnMed.org]

Thank you both for your help.

 

[deeva456]

33508 is for endoscopic vein harvest. In order to bill this code, the physician should state an endoscope was used to harvest the vein.

Endoscopy, surgical, including video-assisted harvest of vein(s) for coronary artery bypass procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

 

[bkhan7]

Additional question. I am noticing surgeons are doing CABGs with a PA harvesting the vein and another PA assisting on the case. How can this be billed?
would the assisting PA for the case bill for the entire case including the harvest 33508 and the PA that harvested the vein not get billed?