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Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

75989 Is Best Bet for 32551

Published on Mon Aug 06, 2012

Question: For a chest tube insertion, should we charge 75989 or 77012 for the CT guidance along with 32551?Ohio SubscriberAnswer: You should report 75989 (Radiological guidance [i.e., fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or computed tomography], for percutaneous drainage [e.g., abscess, specimen collection], with placement of catheter, radiological supervision and interpretation) for CT guidance performed with chest tube insertion code 32551 (Tube thoracostomy, includes water seal [e.g., for abscess, hemothorax, empyema], when performed [separate procedure]).A note with 32551 specifically points you to 75989 for related guidance, including CT guidance.Although 77012 (Computed tomography guidance for needle placement [e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device], radiological supervision and interpretation) does describe CT guidance, it is specific to needle placement guidance.
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