CPT code 37217 & 37218 (Carotid & Innominate Artery Stent) Coding Tips

Secret tips Carotid Artery &Innominate Artery Stent Placement

Basics of CPT code 37217 & 37218 We know that for upper extremity catheterization we have CPT codes ranging for 36221-36228. These codes are bundled codes and includes all the minor procedures with them. As far as catheter placement in Carotid artery and Inominate artery is considered we can easily code from these codes. But, when we talk about coding interventional procedures performed on these codes we have to use separate codes. If you are perfect with diagnostic and interventional procedures for vascular section, you can easily code intereventional radiology…

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Will Medicare Increase 2023 Premium Part A ,B C & D

will Medicare premiums increase in 2023? On September 27, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2023 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2023 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. Medicare Part B premium prices are getting cheaper and Part A premiums will be a bit more expensive. Why? Because each year, the Social Security Administration adjusts costs associated with the Medicare program by raising or lowering premiums and deductibles using rules set out in the…

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Meprobamate Generic name, side effects and Mechanism of action

Description of Meprobamate Meprobamate is an oral carbamate derivative used as an anxiolytic. It is similar in structure to carisoprodol; in fact, meprobamate is an active metabolite of carisoprodol. Meprobamate is indicated for the treatment of anxiety disorders or for the short-term symptomatic treatment of anxiety in adults and children 6 years and older; however, historically the drug has also been used for its sedative properties. Due to the availability of other therapies, meprobamate is not considered a treatment of choice for anxiety disorders in adults or pediatric patients. Clinical…

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Decitabine drug use, side effects, dosage and injection

Description of Decitabine Decitabine is a pyrimidine antimetabolite. It is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Severe myelosuppression has been reported with decitabine therapy; monitor complete blood counts during therapy. Mechanism of Action of Decitabine Decitabine is an antimetabolite that can replace cytosine in DNA but, unlike cytosine, it cannot be methylated. The exact mechanism of decitabine activity has not been determined and may involve multiple pathways. Decitabine is thought to primarily act by correcting DNA methylation, a major mechanism for gene expression. In some cancer…

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SUPER tips to Clear Certified Professional coder (CPC) exam

Intro of Certified Professional coder (CPC) Exam Medical coders are in high demand everywhere because of use of ICD 10. Now, if you see most of the projects are based on ICD 10 coding. But, hiring a medical coder is a very complex process. There are two types of coders, Certified and Non-Certified medical coders. Certified coders have Certification or credentials from AAPC or AHIMA. CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Certified coders from AAPC are more in number in the certification race. CPC exam is conducted from AAPC and has great…

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Advanced Coding guide on XE, XP, XS and XU modifier

Advanced Coding guide on XE, XP, XS and XU modifier

Basics of XE, XP, XS and XU modifier Modifiers change the payment definition of CPT procedure code. Yes, modifiers define the procedure  in different ways like whether the procedure was really necessary to perform, the procedure was done completely or not, the procedure was done using assistant surgeons, additional or multiple procedure performed etc. There is a big list of modifiers used along with CPT codes. But, today we will talk only about the 59 modifier or XE, XP, XS, XU modifier.  There are modifier indicators which tells us whether…

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CPT code 74177, 74178, 74176 & 74175 coding tips in Radiology

Distinguish between CT versus CTA exam in Radiology

Basics of CPT code 74177 & 74175 Computed Tomography or CT exam are very frequently done in radiology. CT exams are very helpful in diagnosing harmful diseases  or disorder. In Radiology, we have already learnt about coding chest x-ray, MRI CPT codes, Ultrasound exam etc. so now we focus on coding CT exam. As a coder, many of us have a confusion about coding CT exam and CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography). CT codes like CPT code 74177 and CTA codes like CPT codes 74175 have big difference in medical coding.…

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CPT code 78472, 78473, 78494 (MUGA scan) Coding Tips

MUGA scan (CPT code 78472, 78473, 78494) Coding Tips

Basics of MUGA scan CPT code 78472, 78473, 78494 Multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) scanning uses radio-labelled red blood cells to scan right and left ventricular images in a cine loop format that is synchronized with the ECG, which requires a regular rhythm for accuracy. Specific procedure codes are reported for this scan. CPT code 78472, 78473, 78494 & +78496 are used for reporting MUGA scan CPT code. This scan helps in evaluating many important function, some are pointed below. To evaluate left ventricular (LV) function at baseline before chemotherapy or cardiotoxic…

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CPT code 36215, 36216, 36217 & 36218 : Vascular Coding

When to use CPT code 36215, 36216, 36217 & 36218

Basics of CPT code 36215, 36216, 36217 & 36218 A selective catheter placement is performed in a thoracic or brachiocephalic branch of a single vascular family of the arterial system. A catheter is introduced into an extremity artery, with the preferred introduction site being a femoral artery, although an upper extremity artery may also be used. A small skin incision is made over the planned insertion site. An introducer sheath is placed in the artery and a guidewire inserted. If the right femoral artery is used, the guidewire is manipulated through…

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Cpt code 76801, 76802, 76805 & 76810 Coding Guidelines

Basics of Cpt code 76801 & 76802 This is a diagnostic ultrasound imaging technique in which bouncing sound waves far above the level of human perception through interior body structures. The sound waves pass through different densities of tissue and reflect back to a receiving unit at varying speeds. The unit converts the waves to electrical pulses that are immediately displayed in picture form on screen. Real time scanning displays both two-dimensional structure images and movement with time. CPT code 76801 is reported for real time ultrasound, transabdominal, with image…

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