Items Tagged: stenosis



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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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - December 2015

December 2015 Q & A

Question: WPS and Popliteal Aneurysm

With the new LCD for ICD-10, popliteal aneurysm I72.4 is not covered for 37236. It also is not covered for 37226. What do you recommend if a patient has a popliteal aneurysm and is MCR or MCR replacement in our area? The particular patient I have now is having thrombosis due to the aneurysm, but by coding guidelines it would be covered for intent, which is the aneurysm. The thrombosis is covered under 37226 if it is okay to code for thrombosis and not aneurysm. We do these all the time, this is just the first one that came up since ICD-10 and I need to be able to educate my physicians on coverage.
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ZHealth Coding Newsletter - September 2014

September 2014 Q & A

Question: Vertebral Artery Stenting

Rt. vertebral artery origin has severe flow-limiting stenosis at level of C-6 and intracranially 50% and 40%. Procedure codes used are 0075T, 76937 x2, G0269, 36140. Impression: Rt. vertebral artery origin severe stenosis reduced to minimal residual after balloon mounted stent placement. Basilar artery flow is improved with lower blood pressure after the intra-arterial administration of vasodilator and rt. vertebral artery origin stent placement. Lt. superficial femoral artery arterial monitoring catheter placement.

Medicare is denying 0075T for modifier incompatibility. ...

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