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Wiki 33530 - Does anyone know if STS

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LMS62682

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Does anyone know if STS has changed their stance on billing this code only when the original surgery was a CABG or Valve and the current surgery is a CABG or valve? It seems silly to not be able to utilize the re-do code when there was a previous sternotomy for a different procedure since it still makes any re-do technically challenging. Any opinions on this matter welcome. Thanks!
 
No, the STS still says you can only use this code with re-do CABGs and valves (and code 33863). It sounds like they fought hard for this code and the best they could get was re-do CABG and valves. If your surgeon is doing another procedure requiring a re-do sternotomy, you could add the -22 modifier if the documentation supports the increased difficulty.

Lisi, CPC

Lisi Harkleroad CPC
Coding & Billing Analyst
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation, Inc.
(312) 695-2033
eharkler@nmh.org
 
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