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Craniectomy w/Ventriculostomy Catheter Placement

I’m hoping for some guidance. We have 3 opinions as to how to bill this procedure(s).

Pre-op Dx: bilateral acute subdural hematoma with brain compression, left parietotemporal skull base fractures with displacement.

Procedure: Craniectomy and ventriculostomy placement.

Op notes: Two burr holes were placed, due to significant comminuted fractures in the parietal region, no further burr holes were placed. Bone flap lifted without difficulty. There were free fragments identified posteriorly, which were removed. Dura was found to be disrupted with brain herniating through the defect as well as has been noted through the calvarial defect, area irrigated copiously. Dura was further opened and craniectomy carried down to the temporal region. Epidural and subdural hemotoma noted, which was evacuated. Area was copiously irrigated and all free fragments and hematoma evacuated. Brain pulsation was noted and found to be slightly sunken, however, posterior aspect was significantly swollen. Hence, decision was made to keep the bone flap off using placement of a ventricular catheter. A small 15 blade was used to incise the brain parenchyma superficially and an EVD ventriculostomy catheter was placed.

The catheter was not removed at completion of surgery.

There are 3 arguments as to how this should be billed:

1. 61322, 62005-51, 61154-51
2. 61322, 61312-59, 62005-51
3. 61312, 62005-51

The burr holes were drilled for the purpose of the craniectomy, not the drainage of the hematoma, so I don’t feel 61154 is accurate. I feel that the 61322 is more precise, but would I bill this WITH the 61312-59?

Also, the doctor placed the ventriculostomy catheter and it seems like there should be a code for this, but I cannot find one. He did not perform a neuroendoscopy and he used the existing burr holes. Can anyone offer guidance on this as well?

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Left Shoulder Resection Arthroplasty with Placement Antibiotic Spacer

Post op DX: Septic Arthritis LT Shoulder with chronic anterior shoulder dislocation & glenoid fracture malunion
Pt. has history of septic arthritis LT shoulder that was addressed with irrigation & debridement in July by another surgeon. They have a previous history of fractures about the shoulder including the acromion, glenoid & coracoid. These have resulted in fracture malunion with chronic anterior shoulder dislocation & now recurrent suspicious infection. Op Note: Incision made anteriorly over the shoulder through a standard deltopectoral approach. I was unable to use the previous transverse space surgical scar. The deltopectoral interval was identified & also the cephalic vein & this was preserved throughout the entirety of the procedure retracting it laterally with the deltoid. There was significant scar tissue from her previous surgery & secondary chronic infection. I released the proximal 1 cm of pectoralis major insertion as well as the leading edge of the coracoacromial ligament to facilitate exposure. I identified the biceps tendon & its sheath & began to resect & reflect the subscapularis & underlying capsule just medial to this. I opened it through the rotator interval, exposing the humeral head. Red tinged & slightly turbid synovial fluid was identified. I sent specimens for analysis. The shoulder joint was identified & revealed extensive erosive changes about the humeral head with reciprocal changes about the glenoid consistent with advanced septic osteoarthritis. The rotator cuff was noted to be completely torn & retracted. The humeral head was noted to be chronically anterior dislocated. I released the inferior capsule to facilitate further extraction of the humeral head with combination of adduction, flexion & external rotation & the head was completely dislocated. I then identified a starting point for entry of reamer. I progressively reamed up to 12 mm. I then used the extramedullary alignment guide to fashion a resection of the humeral head in 30 degrees of retroversion using the humeral epicondylar axis & the forearm as a guide. I resected approximately 25 mm of the native humeral head. I removed extensive foul appearing tissue from the metaphysis. I prepared the humerus with broaches up to size 12 & 30 degrees of retroversion. I then assessed the glenoid. There was chronic malunion of the glenoid with significant loss of the anterior substance of the glenoid which would make it unreasonable to try to resurface in the future. I did try to ram down the glenoid using the glenoid reamers & a guide pin & what I thought was the central aspect of the scapula. I did remove foul appearing tissue that surrounded the growth glenoid in particular over the anterior aspect which is felt to be residual hypertrophic scar tissue from the fracture. I thoroughly irrigated the glenoid & humerus with antibiotic irrigation. I prepared the size 12 Prostalac implant. Once the prostalac stem was prepared & hardened it was removed from its casing. The stem was place in appropriate retroversion in the humeral canal. The wound was irrigated & closed. I repaired the capsule & subscapularis to the humeral shaft & repaired the deltopectoral interval. Need help with how to code-Unlisted or 23470 or 23472 & 11981?

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Colon w over the scope padlock placement for fistula closing

Hello- I have a physician who just performed a "colonoscopy with over the scope padlock placement (to close the fistula) with anesthesia per MD scope clip padlock". ICD 10 code is k63.2- fistula of intestine. Fistulous process identified at 30 cms in the sigmoid, india ink injected gently via the cutaneous opening. The padlock was placed over the scope and the scope was advanced to the site. The tissue was suctioned and device deployed.

I am wondering which CPT code to use? The manufacturer of the padlock (US Endoscopy) suggested colon with control of bleed, which I do not agree with as there is no mention of bleeding anywhere? I know I can bill with colon with injection, but I was looking for something additional for the padlock placement, as this is the first we have done of this type of procedure? I found 44650, closure of enteroenteric or enterocolic fistula, but Medicare and Excellus fee schedule is rather high, and I want to be sure this is appropriate? Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Endoscopic Wound Vac placement

Has anyone else seen this being performed yet? Just wondering what other people are doing to bill for this. I know it’s going to have to be billed using an unlisted code but what codes are you using for comparative pricing/RVU values?

INDICATION(S): Tracheoesophageal fistula

A 14 French nasogastric tube was then selected and cut short so that the last hole was approximately 2 cm from the tip. The nasogastric tube was advanced through the right nare into the oropharynx and then grasped and pulled out the mouth. The small wound VAC sponge was then cut to size and secured to the tip of the nasogastric tube with 0-silk suture. Adaptic was then secured around the sponge using 0 silk sutures. The sponge was then advanced down into the proximal esophagus with the assistance of endoscopy, and beyond the fistula into the gastric conduit. The endoscope was then pulled back until the fistula was visible at 25 cm. Under endoscopic vision, the nasogastric tube was withdrawn slowly until the sponge abutted the defect. The nasogastric tube was held firmly in place while the scope was slowly withdrawn. Negative pressure of 125mm Hg was then applied resulting in collapse of the lumen around the wound VAC sponge. The scope was withdrawn and the nasogastric tube was secured to the nose after withdrawing the excess tubing from the oropharynx.

Thanks!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

ICD-10-CM for bilateral ear tube placement for hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hello,

I have a patient that is having bilateral ear tubes-to prevent any problems with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patient does not have any otorrhea, vertigo, subjective hearing loss, or tinnitus. No recent URI.

I was thinking of Z40.8 but I am not sure.

The patient has Medicare Jurisdiction L and there is not an LCD policy for CPT 69436 with modifier 50.

I would appreciate any help that you can provide.

Thanks,
Cammy Waterhouse, CPC

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Cystourethroscopy and Foley Catheter placement

Help! I feel like I should easily know this yet I am struggling.

What would the CPT be for Cystourethroscopy and Foley catheter placement?

Doctor used flexible cystoscope to enter the patients urethra and bladder. Placed a wire in to the bladder under direct visual guidance and then backed up the cystoscope over that wire and placed an 18-French Council tip catheter.

TIA
KAM

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Repeat washout and placement of drain for complex perineal/scrotal abscess

Hi all,

I’m trying to determine if this is correct. The patient underwent 46040 a few days ago and due to the complexity of the abscess, they brought the patient back to the OR to perform washout and placement of a JP drain to facilitate healing.

Would I still report 11004 if he’s not actually documenting any debridement?? How do you capture revenue for bringing the patient back to the OR if he’s basically just performing wound care under anesthesia?

Op report states:
we prepped and draped the area and after our final verification we proceeded. We washed out the wound copiously with saline. We then again identified the tracking down towards the perineum close to the perianal area.
Due to the complexity of the wound and tracking, as well as difficulty with packing, I elected to leave a Penrose drain by making a small counterincision slightly into the perianal area. I made a small counterincision a couple of inches away from the already existing scrotal wound. I passed a one-inch Penrose through the deepest part of the already existing abscess cavity and once I did that we secured hemostasis. We washed out the wound further. I secured the Penrose on itself so it was looped and then placed some one-inch packing into both wounds. There were no other complications. We placed a dry gauze as well as a scrotal support and the patient tolerated the procedure well. He was taken out of lithotomy and extubated

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Medicare patient Battery placement non-rechargeable

I could use a little assistance billing a Generator, neurostimulator, implantable non-rechargeable battery for a Medicare patient.

I was going to consider codes: 63685 with C1767, Not sure if Medicare will bundle the C1767 for ASC Facility.
If they do bundle…Should the code C1767 still be billed with zero dollars for reporting?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Denise

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Medicare Battery non-chargeable placement

I could use a little assistance billing a Generator, neurostimulator, implantable non-rechargeable battery for a Medicare patient.

I was going to consider codes: 63685 with C1767, Not sure if Medicare will bundle the C1767 for ASC Facility.
If they do bundle…Should the code C1767 still be billed with zero dollars for reporting?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Denise

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Medicare Battery placement non-chargeable

I could use a little assistance billing a Generator, neurostimulator, implantable non-rechargeable battery for a Medicare patient.

I was going to consider codes: 63685 with C1767, Not sure if Medicare will bundle the C1767 for ASC Facility.
If they do bundle…Should the code C1767 still be billed with zero dollars for reporting?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Denise

Medical Billing and Coding Forum