Radiology Question for the Week of June 3, 2019

Question:

What code(s) would I report for an injection of contrast for a previously placed cholecystostomy tube evaluation and change?

Answer:

Injection of contrast to evaluate a previously placed cholecystostomy tube should be reported with cholangiogram through existing access code 47531. Cholecystostomy check and change is reported with code 47536. (This code would be inclusive of contrast injection through the existing catheter.) No additional imaging or guidance code would be assigned.

47531	Injection procedure for cholangiography, percutaneous, complete diagnostic procedure including imaging guidance (e.g., ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation; existing access
47536	Exchange of biliary drainage catheter (e.g., external, internal-external, or conversion of internal-external to external only), percutaneous, including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (e.g., fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation

This question was answered in our Essentials of Interventional Radiology Coding. For more hot topics relating to interventional radiology services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.

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Radiology Question for the Week of June 3, 2019

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