Question:
When an attempted lower extremity intervention is unsuccessful, should only the catheterization and diagnostic angiography be coded, or can the attempted intervention also be reported?
Answer:
If attempting to traverse an occlusive lesion in the lower extremity and it is unsuccessful, code for the catheterization and diagnostic angiogram. For example: contralateral access, unsuccessful attempt at crossing a lesion in the anterior tibial artery, report codes 36247 and 75710. Per the AMA Symposium, attempted interventions that failed, do not code the attempted intervention. Modifiers 53 or 74 are not allowed with these codes.
This question was answered in our annual Radiology Coding Update webcast. For more hot topics relating to radiology services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.
