How To Use CPT Code 36014

CPT 36014 describes the selective placement of a catheter in either the left or right pulmonary artery. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 36014?

CPT 36014 can be used to describe the selective placement of a catheter in either the left or right pulmonary artery. This code is used when a physician inserts a catheter through a small incision in the skin, guided by fluoroscopy, to access the pulmonary artery. Contrast material is then injected through the catheter to visualize the blood vessels under X-ray.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 36014 is: ‘Selective catheter placement, left or right pulmonary artery.’

3. Procedure

1. The physician cleans the area of the groin or arm where the catheter will be inserted.
2. Under local anesthesia, the physician makes a small incision in the skin.
3. A guidewire is placed through a sheath.
4. Using fluoroscopy, the physician inserts a catheter over the guidewire and guides it through the blood vessels to the left or right pulmonary artery.
5. Contrast material is injected through the catheter, and X-ray images are taken to visualize the blood vessels.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 36014 is used when a physician selectively places a catheter in either the left or right pulmonary artery. This procedure is typically performed to diagnose or treat medical conditions related to the pulmonary arteries. The catheter is inserted through a small incision in the skin, and contrast material is used to visualize the blood vessels under X-ray.

5. When to use CPT code 36014

CPT code 36014 should be used when a physician performs a selective catheter placement in either the left or right pulmonary artery. This code should not be used for nonselective catheter placements or for the imaging or radiological supervision and interpretation.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 36014, the physician must document the following information:

• Location of the catheter placement (left or right pulmonary artery)
• Date of the procedure
• Start and end time of the procedure
• Details of the procedure, including the use of fluoroscopy and contrast material
• Any additional imaging studies performed
• Signature of the physician performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 36014, ensure that the procedure involves the selective placement of a catheter in either the left or right pulmonary artery. Modifier RT should be used for placement in the right pulmonary artery, and modifier LT should be used for placement in the left pulmonary artery. It is important to code for each vascular family separately and to code additional imaging studies performed during the procedure.

8. Historical information

CPT 36014 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1992. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the left pulmonary artery to diagnose a pulmonary embolism.
2. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the right pulmonary artery to treat a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.
3. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the left pulmonary artery to assess pulmonary hypertension.
4. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the right pulmonary artery to embolize a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula.
5. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the left pulmonary artery to evaluate a pulmonary artery aneurysm.
6. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the right pulmonary artery to deliver chemotherapy directly to a lung tumor.
7. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the left pulmonary artery to assess the patency of a pulmonary artery stent.
8. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the right pulmonary artery to evaluate a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm.
9. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the left pulmonary artery to treat a pulmonary artery stenosis.
10. A physician performing a selective catheter placement in the right pulmonary artery to embolize a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.