tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2009 Issue 2

Reader Questions: Include Catheter Code on Critical Care Claim

Question: A 22-year-old motor-vehicle accident victim reports with multiple injuries, and the ED physician provides 84 minutes of care to this critically injured patient. During this time the physician uses ultrasound imaging to place a femoral line (nontunneled centrally inserted venous catheter). Is the line placement separately reportable, or is it part of the critical care package? Idaho Subscriber Answer: You should carve the line placement service out of the total critical care time, because it is a separately reportable service. CPT 2008's Critical Care Services introductory notes list several procedures that are included in 99291 -- such as...

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