Wiki hypothermic circulatory arrest

[ccaldewey]

One of my surgeons is insistent that he be able to bill for HCA separately from the ascending aortic grafts. Can anyone provide any documentation that 33860-33863 includes HCA when performed? Or IS there some way to code for this separately?
Thanks for your help!
Carrie

 

[IHAVELKA]

Carrie-
You might be able to add a 22 modifier, but I've been told that HCA doesn't warrant any extra money.

 

[lisigirl]

I checked this with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons a couple years ago. HCA is considered an integral part of the primary procedure and you cannot bill separately for this. Its similiar to cardiopulmonary bypass in that respect. You have to put a patient on CPB to perform most cardiac procedures so you can't bill separately for it.

My surgeons use HCA all the time with these AA procedures and I have never billed for it.

Lisi, CPC

eharkler@nmh.org