Wiki Attempted but not successful Peripheral Intervention

[harebt@charter.net]

We have encountered several cases lately that the patient comes in for a Lower Extremity Intervention. Patient comes to the lab and the Physician attempts to cross the lesion but is unsuccessful. Can we charge for the attempt? If stated in the physician's dictation that the planned procedure is Angioplasty, can we charge for the attempted angioplasty with modifier? If the physician does not state in his dictation what the plan was, how do we know whether to charge PTA, Stent or atherectomy? Thanks for you help in advance.

 

[mk2001]

If it's the catheter to get the diagnostic angiogram that our doctors can't get to cross the lesion, then we only bill for catheter placement. If it's the PTA/stent/atherectomy, then we bill accordingly for the attempt.

Hope this helps.

 

[harebt@charter.net]

Thank you for your response

 

[Peaches1997]

I agree, in my experience an angiogram has to have findings to be chargeable and if the lesion cannot be crossed do not code for it (no findings). If the physician goes in to another access point, a second cath placement code can be charged. PT/Stent/Atherectomy can only be billed if that is supported in the dictation Good luck!