Numerous interventional radiology changes in CPT

Finally, some little-used nuclear medicine codes have been deleted (e.g., 78162, radioiron oral absorption).

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 transactions and code set standards, payers should accept the new and revised 2006 codes for services provided on January 1 and after.

Between now and January 1, providers should update their charge documents and train their coding and billing personnel on the new codes. Providers should also watch the CMS Web site (or the Federal Register ) for the final 2006 Medicare regulations for hospital and physician payment, which will explain Medicare payment policy changes for 2006.

Insider source

Jackie Miller, RHIA, CPC, senior consultant, Coding Strategies, Inc., 5041 Dallas Hwy., Ste. 606, Powder Springs, GA 30127; 770/445-5566; jackie.miller@codingstrategies.com.

CPT code Description

76376 -3-D rendering with interpretation and reporting of CT, MRI, ultrasound, or other tomographic modality; not requiring image postprocessing on an independent workstation

76377 -. . . requiring image postprocessing on an independent workstation

CPT code Description

37184 -Primary percutaneous transluminal mechanical thrombectomy, noncoronary, arterial or arterial bypass graft, including fluoroscopic guidance and intraprocedural pharmacological thrombolytic injection(s); initial vessel

+ 37185 .- . . second and all subsequent vessel(s) within the same vascular family (list separately in addition to code for primary mechanical thrombectomy procedure)

+ 37186 -Secondary percutaneous transluminal thrombectomy (e.g., nonprimary mechanical, snare basket, suction technique), noncoronary, arterial or arterial bypass graft, including fluoroscopic guidance and intraprocedural pharmacological thrombolytic injections, provided in conjunction with another percutaneous intervention other than primary mechanical thrombectomy (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

37187 -Percutaneous transluminal mechanical thrombectomy, vein(s), including intraprocedural pharmacological thrombolytic injections and fluoroscopic guidance

37188 -Percutaneous transluminal mechanical thrombectomy, vein(s), including intraprocedural pharmacological thrombolytic injections and fluoroscopic guidance, repeat treatment on subsequent day during course of thrombolytic therapy

CPT code Description

36598 -Contrast injection(s) for radiologic evaluation of existing central venous access device, including fluoroscopy, image documentation, and report

CPT code Description

22523 -Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using mechanical device, one vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation (e.g., kyphoplasty); thoracic

22524 . . . lumbar

+ 22525 -. . . each additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral body (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure).

Removing primary tumor may spur growth of metastases

A new study shows that surgery to remove a primary breast cancer tumor may result in the formation of a new blood supply in metastases that were dormant, causing a cancer relapse, according to Women's Health Law Weekly .

The study, published by the International Journal of Surgery, reviewed data from three clinical trials that involved women who had surgery for breast cancer, but no further treatment.

"Cancer outgrowth after surgery has been observed for over 100 years, and the mechanisms have not been fully identified," researcher Michael Retsky, PhD, told Women's Health Law Weekly .

"Our analysis suggests that biology may be the underlying cause, rather than something going wrong during surgery. It also suggest that [although] most young women benefit from early detection of breast cancer, a small percentage will relapse and die early of metastatic disease. The paper suggests remedial steps that might prevent the sudden growth from occurring."