Wiki 35881 vs. 37799

[treid@shenvalsurgery]

I need to code a revision of femoral artery to popliteal artery bypass graft with interposition 8mm PTFE graft.

Problem: per CPT book 35881 is revision lower extremity arterial bypass without thrombectomy; with segmental vein interposition.

My vascular surgeon use a PTFE graft. I want to make sure that CPT 35881 will cover my PTFE graft OR, should I go with the unlisted procedure code.

Anyone have a thought?

Thanks
treid@augustahealth.com

 

[jewlz0879]

I don't think 35881 would be appropriate or cover your graft. Per Ingenix Cardiology/CT Surgery/Vascular Surgery, 'a segment of vein is excised from another area. The area of stenosis is excised and the vein segment is positioned and placed at two ends of the graft.'

What about 35883? It refers to the femoral anastomsis of an arterial bypass using Dacron, PTFE, bovine pericardium patch graft.

If not, I would go with the unlisted.