AMA CPT® Assistant - 2009 Issue 12 (December)
Surgery: Cardiovascular System (December 2009)
December 2009 page 11 Bonus Feature: Surgery: Cardiovascular System Question: Can code 36593 be reported more than once per day for declotting of a central venous access device or catheter? Ann Waters, RHIT, CCS Answer: Yes. In the event declotting of the central venous access device or catheter is required more than once per day, code 36593 , Declotting by thrombolytic agent of implanted vascular access device or catheter , can be reported with the modifier 59, Distinct procedural service , appended. Declotting of a partially or completely implanted device or catheter may necessitate the use of a thrombolytic agent (eg, Urokinase)...
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Article Overview
This December 2009 CPT Assistant article addresses a cardiovascular surgery coding question focused on repeat reporting of declotting services for vascular access devices and catheters. It is relevant to coders, billers, and compliance staff who handle interventional and access-device procedures, and it discusses general reporting considerations, modifier use, and related vascular access service context without replacing the full article.
Why This Topic Matters
Articles like this help coding professionals understand when a procedure question has specific reporting implications under CPT guidance and how related service categories are discussed in a specialty coding forum. It is useful for reviewing whether a case involves repeat services, bundled routine care, or distinct procedural circumstances.
Article Sections
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December 2009 page 11
A brief Q&A feature from the cardiovascular surgery section of CPT Assistant. It centers on reporting considerations for declotting services and related vascular access scenarios.
What You Will Learn
- The article’s scope within a cardiovascular surgery coding Q&A format
- How the discussion frames repeat reporting and related service context
- Which general coding topics are addressed for vascular access declotting questions
- How modifier-related guidance is presented at a high level in a specialty coding update
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Compliance professionals
- Billing staff
- Revenue cycle teams
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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