I have a case where the patient had aortic valve replacement and transaortic mitral valve repair with extensive decalcification of anterior mitral leaflet. The operative report says:
"Once the decalcification of the aortic valve was completed it was clear that the anterior mitral leaflet was heavily calcified. With an endarterectomy knife, the calcified plaque was raised off the anterior mitral leaflet and the entire endothelium with calcium was elevated and removed all the way up to the free coapting edge of the leaflet. This made the leaflets much more pliable than it was earlier."
Is there a code for this? Should it be billed separately? I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions. Thanks
"Once the decalcification of the aortic valve was completed it was clear that the anterior mitral leaflet was heavily calcified. With an endarterectomy knife, the calcified plaque was raised off the anterior mitral leaflet and the entire endothelium with calcium was elevated and removed all the way up to the free coapting edge of the leaflet. This made the leaflets much more pliable than it was earlier."
Is there a code for this? Should it be billed separately? I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions. Thanks