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Anesthesia Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Reporting Unsuccessful Line Placement

Published on Sun Jan 07, 2007

Question: Can we code for a line placement (such as an arterial line or CVP) that the anesthesiologist attempts but is unsuccessful with? If so, should we include a modifier to notify the carrier?


Tennessee Subscriber


Answer: Technically, you could report the attempted placement--but many coders do not because the service is not enough to justify a separate claim.

If you do report the service, submit 36620 (Arterial catheterization or cannulation for sampling, monitoring or transfusion [separate procedure]; percutaneous) or 93503 (Insertion and placement of flow directed catheter [e.g., Swan-Ganz] for monitoring purposes) and append modifier 53 (Discontinued procedure).

Include documentation so the carrier knows your physician did not complete the procedure.
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