Cardiology Coding Alert

Question:The cardiologist documented a "Pronto" thrombectomy. Which code is appropriate when the cardiologist removes clots from the heart?Florida SubscriberAnswer:Look to +92973 (Percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for the procedure you describe.Remember: The "+" in front of the code indicates it's an add-on code, which means you must report it in addition to another code. In this case, CPT instructs you to report +92973 in addition to 92980 (Transcatheter placement of an intracoronary stent[s], percutaneous, with or without other therapeutic intervention, any method; single vessel) or 92982 (Percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty; single vessel). Choose the appropriate primary procedure code based on your documentation.Pronto: Cardiologists use Pronto (by Vascular Solutions Inc.) as a mechanical thrombectomy device. The procedure involves inserting a catheter into the vessel with the blood clot, breaking up the clot, and essentially vacuuming the pieces out of the vessel.Bonus tip: [...]