CPT Codes For Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/Extracorporeal Life Support (July 2015)

Why This Topic Matters

ECMO/ECLS care involves multiple providers, procedure phases, and age-based code distinctions, so correct code identification affects accurate reporting and coordination across teams. The article helps readers understand the overall structure of the CPT code family and the types of guidance included in the AMA/CPT Assistant discussion.

Article Sections

1. Methods of ECMO/ECLS Support

   Introduces the general clinical context for ECMO/ECLS and distinguishes the main support methods discussed in the article. The section provides background needed to understand the code family.

2. Veno-Venous

   Describes one of the ECMO/ECLS support approaches and its broad clinical setting. It explains the type of physiologic support addressed by this method.

3. Veno-Arterial

   Describes the alternate ECMO/ECLS support approach and its broad clinical setting. It explains the type of physiologic support addressed by this method.

4. Coding Tip

   Provides general reporting guidance related to how multiple physicians may participate in ECMO/ECLS services. It addresses collaboration and reporting structure at a high level.

5. Initiation

   Covers the initiation portion of ECMO/ECLS services and how this phase is organized in the article. The section introduces the related code group and reporting context.

6. Daily Management

   Covers ongoing management of ECMO/ECLS and the broad elements involved in that phase of care. It also identifies related categories of services referenced for reporting context.

7. Coding Tip

   Provides a general note about how daily management and repositioning relate to initiation services. The section is presented as reporting context rather than a detailed coding analysis.

8. Insertion

   Introduces the cannula insertion portion of ECMO/ECLS services and the broad subcategories used in the article. The section organizes insertion services by approach and patient age.

9. Percutaneous

   Covers the percutaneous insertion subcategory for ECMO/ECLS cannula services. It places this approach within the broader insertion discussion.

10. Open

    Covers the open insertion subcategory for ECMO/ECLS cannula services. It places this approach within the broader insertion discussion.

11. Central

    Covers the central cannula insertion subcategory for ECMO/ECLS services. It presents this portion as one of the major insertion approaches in the article.

12. Coding Tip

    Provides a general note about reporting replacement of ECMO/ECLS cannulae in the same vessel. It is a brief reporting-focused aside within the insertion section.

13. Reposition

    Introduces the repositioning portion of ECMO/ECLS cannula services and its relationship to other cannula procedures. The section organizes the reposition code group by approach and age.

14. Percutaneous

    Covers the percutaneous repositioning subcategory for ECMO/ECLS cannula services. It sits within the larger reposition discussion.

15. Open

    Covers the open repositioning subcategory for ECMO/ECLS cannula services. It sits within the larger reposition discussion.

16. Central

    Covers the central cannula repositioning subcategory for ECMO/ECLS services. It presents this portion as one of the main reposition approaches in the article.

17. Removal

    Introduces the cannula removal portion of ECMO/ECLS services and organizes it by approach and age. The section presents the removal code group at a high level.

18. Percutaneous

    Covers the percutaneous removal subcategory for ECMO/ECLS cannula services. It is part of the broader removal discussion.

19. Open

    Covers the open removal subcategory for ECMO/ECLS cannula services. It is part of the broader removal discussion.

20. Central

    Covers the central cannula removal subcategory for ECMO/ECLS services. It is part of the broader removal discussion.

21. Arterial Exposure

    Introduces the arterial exposure portion of ECMO/ECLS services and its place within the article’s code family. The section provides broad context for that procedural category.

22. Insertion and Removal of Left Heart Vent

    Covers the left heart vent insertion and removal portion of ECMO/ECLS services. It presents these procedures as a separate topic within the article.

23. Definition of ECMO Terms

    Provides a glossary-style explanation of ECMO/ECLS terminology used throughout the article. The section supports understanding of the surrounding procedural discussion.

24. Reference

    Lists the cited source material supporting the article. It is included as publication context rather than coding guidance.