Question:

If the intent of the procedure is to place a PICC line but this cannot be done, and the catheter is advanced only into a peripheral vein can this be coded as a PICC with a -52 modifier?

Answer:

No, if the tip of the catheter terminates outside one of the six locations (subclavian vein, innominate/brachiocephalic vein, superior vena cava, right atrium/right heart, iliac vein, inferior vena cava) defining a central venous access catheter or device it does not qualify as a central venous catheter and may not be reported as a PICC. Instead, this should be reported with a venipuncture code (36400, 36406, 36410).

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