Cardiology Coding Alert

CPT's definition of a 'single vessel' for this territory is an exception to the rule.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that CPT 2011 brings dozens of new codes and guidelines for cardiology services.

Case in point: CPT 2011 adds new codes for lower extremity endovascular revascularization covering angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting, noted Stacy Gregory, CCC, CPC, RCC, of Gregory Medical Consulting Services, in her presentation, "Peripheral Vascular Coding Tactics," at the 2011 Coding Update and Reimbursement Conference in Orlando (www.codingconferences.com).

This article will focus on the femoral/popliteal codes 37224-37227. "37220 to +37223 Revamp Your Iliac Intervention Coding Options" in Cardiology Coding Alert, vol. 13, no. 12, discussed the iliac codes. Look to a future issue to cover tibial/peroneal codes 37288-+37235.

Master the Single Code Approach for Fem/Pop Coding

The new femoral/popliteal service codes are below. Note that all of the codes include angioplasty in the same vessel when that service is performed:

• Angioplasty: 37224 -- Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral/popliteal artery(s), unilateral; with transluminal angioplasty
• Atherectomy (and angioplasty): 37225 -- ... with atherectomy, includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed
• Stent (and angioplasty): 37226 -- ... with transluminal stent placement(s), includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed
• Stent and atherectomy (and angioplasty): 37227 -- ... with transluminal stent placement(s) and atherectomy, includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed.

Remember: The general rule for 37224-37227 is that you should report the one code that represents the most intensive service performed in a single lower extremity vessel. (See "Apply This Territory Rule to Avoid Denials" below to learn what counts as a single vessel.) All lesser services are included in that one code.

For example: When the cardiologist performs a stent placement, atherectomy, and angioplasty in the left popliteal vessel, you should report only 37227.

That code covers stent placement, atherectomy, and angioplasty. You should not report 37224 (angioplasty), 37225 (atherectomy), or 37226 (stent placement) separately or in addition to 37227 in this scenario.

Check Out the Change From Component Coding

As explained in the last issue of Cardiology Coding Alert, CPT guidelines state that -- in addition to the intervention performed -- the codes include:

• Accessing the vessel
• Selectively catheterizing the vessel
• Crossing the lesion
• Radiological supervision and interpretation for the intervention performed
• Any embolic protection used
• Closure of arteriotomy (incision in the artery)
• Imaging performed to document the intervention was completed.

For example: In 2010, you reported a superficial femoral artery angioplasty via antegrade puncture using now deleted code 35474 (Transluminal balloon angioplasty, percutaneous; femoral-popliteal), 36245 (Selective catheter placement, arterial system ...), and 75962 (2010 definition was Transluminal balloon angioplasty, peripheral artery, radiological supervision and interpretation), Gregory stated. In 2011, you should report only 37224 to cover all of the services.

Don't forget: If the physician performs mechanical thrombectomy (such as 37184-+37185, primary, or +37186, secondary), thrombolysis (such as 37201, 75896), or both, to help restore blood flow to the occluded area, CPT states you may report those services separately.

Apply This Territory Rule to Avoid Denials

The new codes (37220-+37235) apply to different "territories." Each territory has its own specific set of guidelines. Codes 37224-37227 fall under the femoral/popliteal vascular territory.

Key rule: CPT states that "the entire femoral/popliteal territory in 1 lower extremity is considered a single vessel for CPT reporting."

As a result, you should report a single code even if the cardiologist performed various interventions for various lesions in the popliteal artery and in the common, deep, and superficial femoral arteries in the same leg at the same session, as noted in the presentation prepared by Sean P. Roddy, MD, FACS,

AMA CPT advisory committee member, and Gary R. Seabrook, MD, AMA/specialty society relative value scale update committee member, for the AMA's CPT and RBRVS 2011 Annual Symposium in Chicago.

In these situations, you should use the code for the most complex service.

For example: If the cardiologist performs angioplasty in the left popliteal artery and atherectomy in the left common femoral, you should report atherectomy code 37225 only.

Don't forget: The codes are unilateral, which means they apply to a service on a single side of the body. CPT indicates that if the physician treats the identical territory (such as femoral/popliteal) in both legs at the same session, you should use modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) to show both legs are involved.

But watch out for payers' modifier preferences. Some may prefer you to use modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure), modifiers RT (Right side) and LT (Left side), or some combination of modifiers for procedures on both legs.