Coding cardiac vs. peripheral stent placement

Friday,
October 17, 2003
Vol. 4, No. 41

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Today's question covers coding of cardiac versus peripheral or non-cardiac stent placements. Read on to learn the difference.

Your APCs Weekly Monitor is a free weekly e-zine from HCPro, publisher of Briefings on APCs, the monthly newsletter devoted entirely to managing under APCs, and the newsletter, APC Answer Letter, with answers to readers' questions about coding for APCs.

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QUESTION: Is there a difference between coding cardiac stent placements and peripheral or non-cardiac stent placements?

ANSWER: Yes. Both the right and/or left heart catheterizations as well as cardiac angioplasty are included in the cardiac stent placement and are not coded separately if done on the same vessel. Consequently, the only code billed is the 92980 or 92981. If the physician performs an angioplasty on another vessel, you are allowed to code the angioplasty. See CPT Assistant December 1996, page 11, for guidance on coding these procedures.

For the peripheral, or non-cardiac stent placement, codes are assigned for all procedures performed when done alone or in conjunction with a cardiac stent placement. Most angiography codes are in the 36000-36248 range. The angioplasty codes are in the 35450-35476 range, and the peripheral stent placement codes are in the 37205-37208 range. Refer to CPT Assistant April 2001, page 10, or the Society of Interventional Radiology Handbook for further guidance.

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