How To Use cpt 10030

cpt 10030 describes the image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter, such as abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, or cyst, in soft tissue areas like the extremity, abdominal wall, or neck. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 10030.

1. What is cpt 10030?

cpt 10030 is a code used to describe the image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter in soft tissue areas such as the extremity, abdominal wall, or neck. This procedure involves the insertion of a catheter through the skin using imaging guidance to drain fluid collections, such as abscesses, hematomas, seromas, lymphoceles, or cysts.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 10030 is: ‘Image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter (eg, abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, cyst), soft tissue (eg, extremity, abdominal wall, neck), percutaneous. Report 10030 for each individual collection drained with a separate catheter. Do not report 10030 in conjunction with 75989, 76942, 77002, 77003, 77012, 77021. For image-guided fluid collection drainage, percutaneous or transvaginal/transrectal of visceral, peritoneal, or retroperitoneal collections, see 49405 – 49407.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider uses imaging guidance, such as ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or computed tomography, to locate the fluid collection in the soft tissue area.
2. A catheter is inserted through the skin and guided to the fluid collection using the imaging guidance.
3. The catheter is used to drain the fluid from the collection, which can be an abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, or cyst.
4. The catheter is left in place to ensure continued drainage.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 10030 is used for patients with fluid collections in soft tissue areas, such as abscesses, hematomas, seromas, lymphoceles, or cysts. The procedure must be performed using imaging guidance, and each individual collection drained requires a separate catheter. It is important not to report cpt 10030 in conjunction with codes 75989, 76942, 77002, 77003, 77012, or 77021. For fluid collection drainage in other areas, such as visceral, peritoneal, or retroperitoneal collections, different codes should be used (49405 – 49407).

5. When to use cpt code 10030

cpt 10030 should be used when a healthcare provider performs image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter in soft tissue areas, such as the extremity, abdominal wall, or neck. This code should be reported for each individual collection drained with a separate catheter. It is important to follow the guidelines and not report cpt 10030 in conjunction with certain other codes.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 10030, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Specific soft tissue area where the fluid collection is located
• Imaging guidance used for catheter placement
• Date of the procedure
• Start and end time of the procedure
• Description of the fluid collection, such as abscess, hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, or cyst
• Details of the catheter insertion and drainage process
• Any complications or additional procedures performed
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 10030, ensure that the procedure meets the criteria for image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter in soft tissue areas. Each individual collection drained requires a separate catheter, and it is important not to report cpt 10030 in conjunction with certain other codes. Follow the guidelines and documentation requirements to ensure accurate billing.

8. Historical information

cpt 10030 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2014. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to cpt 10030

Five similar codes to cpt 10030 include:

• cpt 10140: This code is used for incision and drainage of a hematoma, seroma, or fluid collection.
• cpt 49405: This code is used for image-guided fluid collection drainage, percutaneous or transvaginal/transrectal, of visceral, peritoneal, or retroperitoneal collections.
• cpt 49406: This code is used for image-guided fluid collection drainage in the peritoneal or retroperitoneal space.
• cpt 49407: This code is used for image-guided fluid collection drainage in the peritoneal or retroperitoneal space through a vaginal or rectal access route.
• cpt 10036: This code is used for the removal of a catheter used for fluid collection drainage.

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider performing image-guided drainage of an abscess in the abdominal wall using a catheter.
2. A patient with a seroma in the extremity undergoing image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter.
3. A healthcare provider using imaging guidance to drain a lymphocele in the neck with a catheter.
4. A patient with a cyst in the abdominal wall receiving image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter.
5. A healthcare provider performing image-guided drainage of a hematoma in the extremity using a catheter.
6. A patient with a seroma in the neck undergoing image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter.
7. A healthcare provider using imaging guidance to drain an abscess in the abdominal wall with a catheter.
8. A patient with a lymphocele in the extremity receiving image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter.
9. A healthcare provider performing image-guided drainage of a cyst in the neck using a catheter.
10. A patient with a hematoma in the abdominal wall undergoing image-guided fluid collection drainage by catheter.