ZHealth Coding Newsletter - December 2013

Q & A with Dr. David Zielske

Question: TIPS and Variceal Sclerosis

I have a report for a TIPS with Variceal Sclerosis, for a patient with cirrhosis and GI bleeding. I know the TIPS is coded with 37182, and a coil embolization was done on the gastric varices so I would use 37204, 75894, 75898. Do I code the sclerosant solution that was injected into the varix also, or is that part of the embolization? If it is coded separately, would the unlisted codes be used like with the venous malformations of the head and neck? Or is it a different code?