Question:
What happens when a physician converts an external drainage catheter to an internal-external drainage catheter. Is this an exchange? Is there a code that describes this?
Answer:
No, this is not an exchange but a conversion. This is defined by code 47535. This code, like all percutaneous biliary interventional codes includes contrast injection(s) whether performed or not. As such, do not submit code 47531 or 47532. This code may be submitted per catheter that is “converted.” The only time this code will be used is when a single external catheter is swapped out for an internal-external catheter
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