Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What CPT and anesthesia codes apply to removal of a vena cava filter?


Tennessee Subscriber
 

Answer: CPT includes a code for inserting a vena cava filter (37620, Interruption, partial or complete, of inferior vena cava by suture, ligation, plication, clip, extravascular, intravascular [umbrella device]) but does not have a removal code. This could partially be because removing an umbrella is very rare.

Some coders suggest using one of the codes for implant removal in this situation because the surgeon did implant the vena cava filter. Other coders say vein filter removal is more complicated than this, so opt for 37799 (Unlisted procedure, vascular surgery).

The correct anesthesia code depends on the surgical approach. If the surgeon removes the filter intravascularly, the patient might not need anesthesia. But if the surgeon performs an open procedure to retrieve the filter, your best anesthesia options are 00880 (Anesthesia for procedures on major lower abdominal vessels; not otherwise specified) and 00882 (- inferior vena cava ligation).

Code 01930 (Anesthesia for therapeutic interventional radiologic procedures involving the venous/lymphatic system [not to include access to the central circulation]; not otherwise specified) is another option for a less-invasive removal tactic.