Cardiology Question for the Week of May 8, 2017

Question:

One of our cardiologists attempted to cannulate the right radial artery using ultrasound (US) guidance. He says the vessel was well-visualized, and the needle could be seen within the vessel, but there was no return of flow. After several attempts without success, he used the right femoral artery for the exam. Can we bill for the US guidance and the radial puncture?

Answer:

Assuming all guidelines for US guidance for vascular access are met, you could code the following:

36140-59 Introduction of needle or intracatheter; extremity artery
76937 Ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring ultrasound evaluation of potential access sites, documentation of selected vessel patency, concurrent real-time ultrasound visualization of vascular needle entry, with permanent recording and reporting (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

CPT® copyright 2023 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Happy World Health Day! Our exclusive webcast, ‘2024 SDoH Update: Navigating Coding and Screening Assessment,’  is just $99 for a limited time! Use code WorldHealth24 at checkout.

SPRING INTO SAVINGS! Get 21% OFF during our exclusive two-day sale starting 3/21/2024. Use SPRING24 at checkout to claim this offer. Click here to learn more →