Cardiology Coding Alert

If you were wondering whether HCPCS codes G0275 and G0278 were for selective or nonselective renal and iliac angiography during heart caths, HCPCS 2004 puts the matter to rest: Both codes are for non-selective procedures.

 
Here are the recently released final definitions:

  G0275 - Renal angiography, nonselective, one or both kidneys, performed at the same time as cardiac catheterization and/or coronary angiography, includes positioning or placement of any catheter in the abdominal aorta at or near the origins (ostia) of the renal arteries, injection of dye, flush aortogram, production of permanent images, and radiologic supervision and interpretation (list separately in addition to primary procedure)

  G0278 - Iliac and/or femoral artery angiography, nonselective, bilateral or ipsilateral to catheter insertion, performed at the same time as cardiac catheterization and/or coronary angiography, includes positioning or placement of the catheter in the distal aorta or ipsilateral femoral or iliac artery, injection of dye, production of permanent images, and radiologic supervision and interpretation (list separately in addition to primary procedures).