Advanced Search

Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Billing for CVP Line and Swan-Ganz Catheter

Published on Mon Nov 01, 1999

Question: Can we bill separately for a CVP line and a Swan-Ganz catheter in the same heart case if each is used for a different purpose (i.e., if the Swan-Ganz is used for cardiac monitoring, and the CVP line is placed because of difficult IV access)?

Anonymous IN Subscriber

Answer: If two separate lines for the procedure are documented on the medical record, both may be billed and reimbursed. Use codes 93503 (insertion and placement of flow directed catheter for monitoring purposes,) and 36489*-59 (placement of central venous catheter, percutaneous, over age 2). The -59 modifier is used to identify procedures or services that are not normally reported together but are appropriate under the circumstances. If you use the -59 modifier for the second catheter, be sure the documentation clearly shows that two lines were inserted.

Guest expert: Bellinger Moody, compliance officer at Medac, an anesthesiology billing service in Augusta, GA.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Anesthesia Coding Alert

View All