Question:
Our doctor performed selective catheterization and angiography of the external carotid artery to look for the cause of epistaxis. He did not perform a common carotid or internal carotid angiogram. Code 36227 is an add-on code that requires a primary code. What code(s) would be reported when a primary procedure is not performed?
Answer:
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), when an external carotid artery angiogram is performed without a common carotid or internal carotid angiogram, report unlisted code 37799 (unlisted procedure, vascular surgery).
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