Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question:

Rhode Island Subscriber

You should report 36593 (Declotting by thrombolytic agent of implanted vascular access device or catheter) for this service. TPA (tissue plasminogen activator) is a thrombolytic agent, which the code requires by definition. Be sure also to report the specific thrombolytic agent using a HCPCS "J" code, and take care to report the correct units for the amount used to declot the port.

Code 36593 is specific to the service you describe. Codes 96365-+96366 (Intravenous infusion, for therapy, prophylaxis, or diagnosis [specify substance or drug] ...) would not be appropriate for this service.

Tip: You should report 36593 only once per episode even if the patient requires multiple administrations of TPA during a single session, according to CPT Assistant (December 2009).

On the other hand, you may report 36593 "multiple times when defined separate declots take place," CPT Assistant states.