tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2002 Issue 6

Fluoroscopy Is Separately Payable If CVC Placement Is Difficult

General surgeons may use fluoroscopy with many procedures. The prospect of payment, however, depends on what the other procedure was and why the fluoroscopy was performed. One of the most confusing issues for general surgery coders involves the following two nonspecific fluoroscopy codes: 76000 Fluoroscopy (separate procedure), up to one hour physician time, other than 71023 or 71034 (e.g., cardiac fluoroscopy) 76003 Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device). Although 76000 and 76003 are nonspecific, they differ greatly, says Kathleen Mueller, CPC, CCS-P, a general surgery coding and reimbursement specialist in Lenzburg, Ill...

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