Wiki 37236+37237 or bilateral?

[Teri Johnson]

My vascular doctor placed a stent in the right and left renal arteries. Do I use 37236/50 since this code allows for a 50 modifier or 37236 and 37237? What if it is Medicare that wants RT/LT rather than 50? The code 37236 does not take RT/LT modifiers only 50 which I think is strange. Does that mean then 37236 & 37237? I can see it both ways, but which is correct?

 

[theresa.dix@tennova.com]

My vascular doctor placed a stent in the right and left renal arteries. Do I use 37236/50 since this code allows for a 50 modifier or 37236 and 37237? What if it is Medicare that wants RT/LT rather than 50? The code 37236 does not take RT/LT modifiers only 50 which I think is strange. Does that mean then 37236 & 37237? I can see it both ways, but which is correct?

I would use 37236 and 37237. I researched this question for several days and nothing says exactly. But I did find information that these codes are to be used like the old codes we used to use. 37205 and 37206. You remember that is how we used to code the bilateral renal stents. We didnt use 37206-50 or 37206 -37206.

 

[Teri Johnson]

Thanks Theresa

 

[davidskm]

I would use the -50. The add on code +37237 would be used if they were placing a stent in an additional artery branching off the intial right or left. Since they aren't connecting vessels (the aorta separates them) I wouldn't code the additional vessel.

Kristen D. CPC, CCTVC