Wiki Should we bill this abandoned catherization?

[drobinson1]

The report read:
Following local anethesia, the right subclavian vein was accessed under direct ultrasound visualization. A 4 French catheter was inserted into the vein over a guidewire. Digital subtraction imaging was performed in multiple projections.Complete occlusion of the superior vena cava is noted with extensive collateralization and dilatation of the azygos and hemiazygos systems. Therefore this approach was abandoned. Manual pressure was held at the entry site and sterile dressing applied.

Next, the left femoral vein was evaluated with sonagraphy and found to be patent..... an uneventful placement of a tunnelled dialysis catheter under fluoroscopic guidance was completed.

Do we bill the abandoned catherization?

 

[mbort]

yes it should be billed with the appropriate modifier dependent on whom you are billing for.

 

[torresreb]

yes with modifier 52

 

[Mouf1818]

No you don't. If you look under cpt 76937, it says "ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring ultrasound evaluation of potential access suites". You only code the central line placement and the ultrasound & fluoroscopic guidance one time no matter how many access sites they tried to get the line in through.