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CPT's description of a 'single vessel' for this particular territory is certainly an exception to the rule. Getting yourself updated on the current year's revascularization CPT changes necessitates more than simply changing your old codes for the new ones -- though that alone is sufficient to keep you busy. You furthermore have to take a watchful look at the guidelines that are applicable to the individual codes to ensure you're using the new codes properly. Read on this expert radiology medical coding article and take a step closer towards accurate and profitable radiology coding. In the sphere of radiology coding, CPT 2011 adds new codes meant for lower extremity endovascular revascularization including angioplasty, atherectomy, as well as stenting. This radiology medical coding article will concentrate on the femoral/popliteal codes 37224-37227. Ace the Single Code Approach Meant for Fem/Pop Coding The newly listed femoral/popliteal service codes are as following. Remember that all of the codes involve angioplasty in the similar vessel when that service is carried out: Angioplasty: 37224 –i.e. Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral/popliteal artery(s), unilateral; including transluminal angioplasty Atherectomy (as well as angioplasty): 37225 -- i.e. including atherectomy, with angioplasty in the same vessel, when carried out Stent (as well as angioplasty): 37226 -- i.e. including transluminal stent placement(s), with angioplasty in the same vessel, when carried out Stent and atherectomy (as well as angioplasty): 37227 -- i.e. including transluminal stent placement(s) as well as atherectomy, with angioplasty in the same vessel, when carried out Remember: The broad rule for 37224-37227 is that you must report the one code that denotes the most intensive service conducted in a single lower extremity vessel. All other lesser services are covered in that one code. Look into the Change from Component Coding CPT guidelines maintain that -- besides the intervention performed -- the codes include: To get into the vessel Selectively catheterizing the given vessel Crossing the given lesion Radiological supervision as well as interpretation or understanding for the intervention carried out Every embolic protection used Closure of given arteriotomy (incision in the artery) Imaging carried out to document the intervention was accomplished. Remember: In case the physician carries out either mechanical thrombectomy (for instance 37184-+37185, primary, or +37186, secondary), or thrombolysis (for instance 37201, 75896), or both of these, in order to help restore blood flow to the blocked area, CPT says that you might report those services distinctly. Apply This Territory Rule to Sidestep Denials The new codes (37220-+37235) are applicable to dissimilar "territories." Each territory has its own individual detailed set of guidelines. Codes 37224-37227 come under the femoral/popliteal vascular territory. Key rule: CPT denotes that the entire femoral/popliteal territory in one lower extremity thought as a single vessel for CPT reporting." Accordingly, you must report a single code even though the radiologist carried out several interventions for numerous lesions in the popliteal artery as well as inside the common, deep, and superficial femoral arteries located in the similar leg at the similar session. Want to know get more radiology coding expert advice like this? Click here to read the entire article and to get access to our monthly Radiology Coding Alert: Your practical adviser for ethically optimizing radiology medical coding , payment and efficiency in radiology practices. Read more to perfect your radiology medical coding: http://www.supercoder.com/articles/articles-alerts/rca/cpt-2011-37224-37227-revolutionize-your-femoralpopliteal-coding-options/
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