Radiology Question for the Week of June 6, 2022

Question:

Can imaging guidance for central venous access catheter or device placement be separately reported?

Answer:

Guidance for central venous access catheter or device placement, replacement, or removal may include both ultrasound and fluoroscopy. Assuming the imaging guidance is not bundled into the procedure code (i.e., codes 36572 and 36573 where the descriptions state “including all imaging guidance”), codes for each type of guidance may be assigned if requirements for the codes are met. Ultrasound guidance code +76937 has a five-part list of requirements, all of which must be met before the code is assigned. This code is not restricted to central venous access procedures. Fluoroscopy code +77001 is only for use with central venous access procedures. This code requires a permanent image documenting the final catheter position, chest x-ray(s) should not be separately reported.

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