Code it right insights
CODE IT RIGHT INSIGHTS CODE
If, after the abdominal aortogram is performed, additional imaging is done of the lower extremity (iliofemoral) arteries without repositioning the catheter to the lower part of the abdominal aorta, code 75630 would be assigned. This code is assigned when a complete abdominal aortogram is performed without documentation of lower extremity imaging. Because the aorta carries blood away from the heart, the flow will carry the contrast down to the lower part of the abdominal aorta and into the iliofemoral arteries.Ĭode 75625 is reported for an abdominal aortogram from an injection of contrast from a catheter in the upper abdominal aorta, usually at or above the renal arteries, with documentation of imaging from the renal arteries to the aortic bifurcation. Generally, the catheter is placed at or above the level of the renal arteries and contrast is injected. How is the Procedure Performed? How is Coding Impacted?Īs mentioned above, there are multiple ways abdominal aortography can be performed, and how the procedure is performed impacts the way it will be coded. Pay close attention to the documentation to determine the appropriate code(s). There are multiple ways abdominal aortography and lower extremity angiography are performed.
CODE IT RIGHT INSIGHTS PLUS
Keep in mind that the ‘runoff’ terminology may be used in other situations, so code by the procedure description and not a title.įor abdominal aortograms performed with or without runoff, the following codes are used:ħ5625 Aortography, abdominal, by serialography, radiological supervision and interpretationħ5630 Aortography, abdominal plus bilateral iliofemoral lower extremity, catheter, by serialography, radiological supervision and interpretationħ5710 Angiography, extremity, unilateral, radiological supervision and interpretationħ5716 Angiography, extremity, bilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation When the report also describes lower extremity runoff, this refers to imaging of the iliofemoral arteries (the lower extremities to at least the femoral arteries) in addition to the abdominal aorta. This may be referred to in documentation as an ‘abdominal aortogram with runoff’, ‘AIF’, or ‘AIFF’. Often, after an abdominal aortogram is performed, additional imaging is done of the lower extremities. These are the ‘landmarks’ that must be described in the documentation in order to code for an abdominal aortogram. When in doubt, there’s one question that can often help provide clarity to code selection: did the catheter move?Īn abdominal aortogram describes imaging of the abdominal aorta, which is the segment of the aorta from the level of the renal arteries to the aortic bifurcation (where the aorta ‘splits’ into the left and right common iliac arteries).
CODE IT RIGHT INSIGHTS HOW TO
The abdominal aortogram is one of the most commonly performed peripheral services – yet coding for abdominal aortograms, especially with lower extremity runoff, is something that is often met with questions about just how to ensure the correct code (or codes) is being selected for the procedure performed.