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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

00400 Usually Applies to Groshong Removal

Published on Thu Jan 06, 2011

Question: What is the correct code for removal of a Groshong catheter? New Jersey SubscriberAnswer: To answer that question, you must know whether the catheter was tunneled or non-tunneled. For the most part, Groshong catheters are tunneled, so assuming that, the correct code representing the procedure is 36589 (Removal of tunneled central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump); the anesthesia code is 00400 (Anesthesia for procedures on the integumentary system on the extremities, anterior trunk and perineum; not otherwise specified). The physician would remove a non-tunneled Groshong catheter just like an IV or a central line. Non-tunneled removal, therefore, does not require an anesthetic, so you would not report the service.
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