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Wiki Explanting 3 ICD electrodes

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amfitzwate

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I have a patient that has an implantable defibrillator with two right ventricular pace leads and one atrial lead pace/sense lead implanted eight years ago. Patient was having recurrent inappropriate shocks due to lead chatter. Our physician explanted the system and the three leads. Questioning what cpt codes to use for the leads removal since there were three?
 
amfitzwate said:
I have a patient that has an implantable defibrillator with two right ventricular pace leads and one atrial lead pace/sense lead implanted eight years ago. Patient was having recurrent inappropriate shocks due to lead chatter. Our physician explanted the system and the three leads. Questioning what cpt codes to use for the leads removal since there were three?
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If you look at the descriptor for 33244, it does say 'removal of electrode(s)' so this is what you would use (assuming transvenous removal).
If your provider dictates a really good report documenting excessive time or difficulty in removing the 3 electrodes, you may be justified in billing 33244-22. Otherwise 33244 it is. Not sure why there are two codes for removal of pacer electrode(s), but only one for ICD's.
 
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