Items Tagged: dialysis



ZHealth Coding Newsletter - July 2020

Q & A July 2020 

Question: Embolization Dialysis Collateral Vein

Can you please let me know if I coded this correctly? The doctor says I should be able to code the cath placement into the collateral vein and the venogram. I thought it was included in the fistulogram and embolization.

US guided access into left forearm AV fistula (all documentation is there) 76937-26 fistulogram of left radiocephalic AV fistula and Central Venogram - PTA peripheral dialysis circuit in the outflow vein. 36902 Selective catheterization of lateral collateral vein arising from the peripheral juxta anastomotic outflow vein (included in embolization ?) Venogram of selected collateral forearm vein ( billable?) Embolization of selected collateral forearm vein 36909. My doctor asked me to verify with you.

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - March 2018

March 2018 Q & A

Question: 36904

How would you bill for crisscross infusion catheters placed in a AV dialysis fistula? Fistulogram showed thrombus within AV fistula with total occlusion. Successful crisscross placement of 5 F sheath and 10 cm infusion catheter within the venous limb directed peripherally and 6 French with 10 cm infusion catheter within the arterial limb directed centrally.

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ZHealth Coding Update - Retroactive Billing Medicare

Retroactive Billing Medicare for Drug Coated Angioplasty Balloon Code C2623 with AV Dialysis Intervention Codes

Medicare is allowing pass-through payment for code C2623 with AV dialysis interventions for claims filed retroactively for dates of service from August 25, 2017, through December 31, 2017. Pass-through payment wasn’t made with this combination in 2017 due to Medicare not changing its limited coverage for the catheter’s use only in the femoral popliteal arteries. Effective January 1, 2018, pass-through payment for code C2623 ended.

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - December 2017

December 2017 Q & A

Question: Drug Eluting Balloon C2623 with CPT 36902

Our facility is performing the AV angiography of the dialysis circuit as described in CPT code 36902. The surgery department is using the device code C2623 for the drug eluting balloon that is documented as being used by the surgeon. We are receiving denials that the drug eluting balloon code does not have a matching CPT code. From what I can find, it appears that drug eluting balloon code C2623 can only be used with fem/pop procedures; is this correct?

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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - November 2016

November 2016 Q & A

Question: Cutting Angioplasty with Perforation

Under fluoroscopic guidance, the upper arm dialysis access fistula was catheterized and fistulogram was obtained. There was a greater than 50% stenosis within the mid cephalic vein that was dilated with an 8 mm angioplasty balloon and high pressure angioplasty balloon with no effect. The lesion was then dilated with a cutting balloon. Following angioplasty with a cutting balloon there was a leak identified from the cephalic vein. Multiple attempts at balloon tamponade were performed, and these were unsuccessful at controlling the leak. An 8 mm x 6 cm fluency stent graft was then placed across the leak and dilated to 8 mm. Follow-up fistulogram was obtained and showed free flow of contrast through the stent. Cephalic arch and central veins are patent. The arterial anastomosis is widely patent. There is a small pseudoaneurysm in the cephalic vein near the arterial anastomosis.
I am assigning codes 36147 and 37238. Should something be stated about the perforation? If so, how should this be coded?

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