Interventional Radiology Insights

Lumbar puncture, spinal puncture, spinal tap – no matter what we call it the procedure is commonly performed and, with new and revised codes for 2020, multiple options are available when it comes to how they are coded. Let’s review these new and revised codes, what the criteria are for assignment and how the differences

As you know, coding for vascular angiography and interventions is complicated. Adding to the challenge, it is open to interpretation (hello often unclear documentation!) and tends to change frequently making for a problematic mix that places even the most experienced coders under pressure. Coders must be fully up to speed regarding current code choices and

If there’s one thing we can count on to remain consistent in the world of IR coding, it’s that this time of year is full of change – potentially with a hint of chaos, and sometimes surprises. One recent surprise that could leave your facility vulnerable is the approval of a recovery audit from the

When it comes to pain management procedures, we often think of steroid injections, nerve blocks or other similar procedures (fun fact: watch out for numerous changes to these services in 2020) – but what about other types of pain management procedures? There’s an array of services provided to patients all with their own coding rules

Central venous access and PICC line placements were a bit of a headache for coding this year due to new codes, language and guidelines that went into effect in January. For patients requiring longer term access than provided by a regular IV, or when smaller veins typically used for an IV can’t be accessed, central

With recent significant changes in the fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy code family, let’s review a few key takeaways. Prior to this year, there were two CPT® codes describing FNA biopsy: 10021 (fine needle aspiration; without imaging guidance) and 10022 (fine needle aspiration; with imaging guidance). These codes were fairly straightforward. If an FNA biopsy

+76937 Ultrasound guidance for vascular access requiring ultrasound evaluation of potential access sites, documentation of selected vessel patency, concurrent real-time ultrasound visualization of vascular needle entry, with permanent recording and reporting (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Ultrasound guidance is often used to locate and gain entry into the access vessel for

The concept behind bundled codes is not new to anyone familiar with coding for interventional radiology procedures, and it’s no surprise that complete codes (including catheterization and imaging) exist for arch, carotid and vertebral angiography–CPT® codes 36221-36228. Like other code sets, these codes are built on a hierarchy, meaning the lower numbered codes are valued

As with most IR procedures, one of the primary issues faced when it comes to coding remains the inconsistent language in reports. Procedures can be described in a multitude of ways adding complexity and confusion to the process. Even though they may be performing the same procedure, physicians don’t (typically) have a uniform way of

Abdominal Aortography, the basics An abdominal aortogram describes imaging of the abdominal aorta, which is the segment of the aorta from the level of the renal arteries to the aortic bifurcation (where the aorta ‘splits’ into the left and right common iliac arteries). These are the ‘landmarks’ that need to be described in order to