How To Use CPT Code 36015

CPT 36015 describes the selective placement of a catheter in the segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery for the purpose of performing an angiography. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 36015?

CPT 36015 can be used to describe the selective placement of a catheter in the segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery. This procedure is typically performed to conduct an angiography, which is an X-ray study of the blood vessels used to diagnose and treat medical conditions. During the procedure, a radiopaque substance (dye) is injected through the catheter to make the blood vessels visible under X-ray.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 36015 is: ‘Selective catheter placement, segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider gains access to the blood vessels, usually through the femoral or brachial vein.
2. A small incision is made in the skin at the chosen access point, and a guidewire is inserted through a sheath.
3. A catheter is then advanced over the guidewire and guided through the vessels to a segmental or subsegmental branch of the pulmonary artery.
4. Contrast material is injected through the catheter, and X-ray or fluoroscopic images are taken to visualize the blood vessels.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 36015 is performed when there is a need to selectively place a catheter in the segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery. This procedure is typically done to perform an angiography and diagnose or treat medical conditions. It is important to note that this code supersedes codes for nonselective catheter placement, and only one code should be reported for each vascular family.

5. When to use CPT code 36015

CPT code 36015 should be used when a healthcare provider performs the selective placement of a catheter in the segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery. This code is appropriate for procedures involving the visualization of blood vessels through X-ray or fluoroscopic images. It should not be used for nonselective catheter placement or for procedures that do not involve the pulmonary artery.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 36015, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Access point used for catheter placement (e.g., femoral, brachial)
• Approach (ipsilateral or contralateral)
• Level of catheter manipulation
• Imaging studies performed
• Each vascular family and access point separately coded
• Additional second or third order catheterizations within a family
• Additional imaging studies above the basic examination

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 36015, ensure that the procedure involves the selective placement of a catheter in the segmental or subsegmental pulmonary artery. It is important to code for each vascular family separately and to report additional catheterizations and imaging studies as necessary. Do not report both selective and nonselective catheter placement from the same access and in the same vascular family. Follow the specific guidelines provided by the payer for accurate billing.

8. Historical information

CPT 36015 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 healthcare provider performs a selective catheter placement in the segmental pulmonary artery to conduct an angiography for a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism.
2. During a cardiac catheterization procedure, a catheter is selectively placed in the subsegmental pulmonary artery to assess the blood flow and detect any abnormalities.
3. A patient with a known congenital heart defect undergoes a catheterization procedure, and the healthcare provider selectively places a catheter in the segmental pulmonary artery to evaluate the condition of the blood vessels.
4. A healthcare provider performs a selective catheter placement in the subsegmental pulmonary artery to perform an angiography and assess the extent of a pulmonary tumor.
5. During a diagnostic procedure for a patient with suspected pulmonary hypertension, a catheter is selectively placed in the segmental pulmonary artery to measure the pressure in the blood vessels.
6. A healthcare provider performs a selective catheter placement in the subsegmental pulmonary artery to administer targeted chemotherapy for a patient with lung cancer.
7. During an interventional radiology procedure, a catheter is selectively placed in the segmental pulmonary artery to embolize a bleeding vessel and stop the hemorrhage.
8. A patient with a history of pulmonary embolism undergoes a follow-up angiography, and the healthcare provider selectively places a catheter in the subsegmental pulmonary artery to assess the effectiveness of the previous treatment.
9. During a procedure to treat a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, a catheter is selectively placed in the segmental pulmonary artery to deliver embolic material and occlude the abnormal blood vessel.
10. A healthcare provider performs a selective catheter placement in the subsegmental pulmonary artery to perform an angiography and evaluate the blood flow in a patient with suspected pulmonary artery stenosis.