Cardiology Coding Alert
Solve This VAD Scenario
Question: My cardiologist made an incision to access the patient’s femoral artery, and using radiological guidance, he threaded a catheter through the arterial system to the left heart to attach a ventricular assist device. My cardiologist provider performed all of the steps to complete the procedure, including closing the access site. What is a ventricular assist device and which code should I report for this procedure? North Carolina Subscriber Answer: You should report 33990 (Insertion of ventricular assist device, percutaneous, including radiological supervision and interpretation; left heart, arterial access only) for this procedure. VAD defined: A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a device a physician places to provide hemodynamic support to the right heart, left heart, or both, per CPT®. Your physician can perform the VAD insertion percutaneously (33990, 33991, or 33995) or transthoracically (33975, 33976, or 33979). The VAD will be either intracorporeal or extracorporeal.
Related Articles
Cardiology Coding Alert
- CPT®:
Take the Mystery Out of Right and Left Cath Coding by Following These 3 Tips
Hint: You must know if the patient had CABG to report the correct code. If [...] - CPT®:
Solidify Non-Invasive Vascular Study Coding for Extracranial Arteries, Extremity Veins
Always check to see if the code is bilateral or unilateral. When you submit claims [...] - CCI Edits:
Conquer Column 1, Column 2, and Modifier Indicators in Your Cardiology Practice
Hint: If the modifier indicator is “0,” you can never break the PTP edit. When [...] - You Be the Coder:
Make Sure 5 Components Performed for Comprehensive EP Study
Question: I’m new to cardiology. What are the procedure codes for a comprehensive EP study, [...] - Reader Questions:
Discover Aortic Root Abscess Dx
Question: What ICD-10-CM code should I report for an aortic root abscess? Maine Subscriber Answer: [...] - Reader Questions:
Know Rules for Using Unsecured Patient Communications
Question: Our patients frequently ask if we can send them appointment reminders or bills via [...] - Reader Questions:
Choose Appropriate Carotid Artery Stenosis Dx Code
Question: Which ICD-10-CM choices do I have for carotid artery stenosis? Nebraska Subscriber Answer: If [...] - Reader Questions:
Don’t Miss Cardiology Updates in the 2021 CPT® Errata
Question: Were there any 2021 errata updates for cardiology? I think I missed them for [...] - Reader Questions:
Solve This VAD Scenario
Question: My cardiologist made an incision to access the patient’s femoral artery, and using radiological [...]
