Wiki Endoscopic Harvesting of the Vein 33508

[R1CPC]

I need help clarifying this code if the physician harvested the saphenous vein endoscopicaly are we ok to bill 33508? Or this code ok to bill only when other veins were used?I noticed this web page have both answers yes because the code only describes harvesting endoscopically no because CPT says Procurement of the saphenous vein graft is included with CABG codes 33510-33516.

 

[Sothernstar]

33508 endoscopic procurement of vein for CABG

You are correct when you state from CPT Manual that harvesting of a vein (GSV) is included in codes 33510-33523. However, this is only referring to an open procurement. When the vein is harvested with endoscopy or video endoscopy,you should report add on code 33508 in addition to 33510-33523.

 

[CULINTZ]

Agree that guidelines can be confusing and should be more explicit on open versus endoscopic procurement.