Wiki Need Clarification for LHC & LIMA.

[OliviaPrice]

When performing a heart cath In 2010 we could also bill 93539 for viewing a native IMA as a potential graft vessel because CPT specified "whether native or used for bypass". In 2011 CPT code 93459 does not include the term "native". Should procedure 93459 be used when a left heart cath is performed and the native IMA is injected to asses patency as a potential graft vessel?

 

[dpeoples]

When performing a heart cath In 2010 we could also bill 93539 for viewing a native IMA as a potential graft vessel because CPT specified "whether native or used for bypass". In 2011 CPT code 93459 does not include the term "native". Should procedure 93459 be used when a left heart cath is performed and the native IMA is injected to asses patency as a potential graft vessel?

The same rules apply until CMMS/AMA/WHO says otherwise, see note below.

"Use code 93455,93457,93459 or 93461 when selective injections are made into arterial conduits (internal mammary,radial or gastroduodenal arteery bypass graphs), whether used or contemplated to be used as a graft, when angiography is performed at time of cardiac cattheterization."....

source Zhealth Publishing Diagnostic & Interventional Cardiovascular Coding Reference Fifth Edition 2011

HTH