How To Use CPT Code 37616

CPT 37616 describes the ligation of a major artery in the chest due to injury or trauma. 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 37616?

CPT 37616 involves the closure, clipping, or tying off of a ruptured artery in the chest caused by injury or trauma. This procedure is performed by a healthcare provider to control bleeding and prevent further complications.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 37616 is: ‘Ligation, major artery (eg, post-traumatic, rupture); chest.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider prepares the patient and administers anesthesia.
2. An incision is made over the affected area in the chest, which may require accessing the artery through a median sternotomy or thoracotomy approach.
3. The provider clamps the damaged artery under direct visualization to control bleeding.
4. The artery is separated from nearby structures and sutures are placed to tie it off.
5. The provider secures the artery and sutures the surgical wound in layers.
6. Chest tubes may be inserted for drainage if necessary.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 37616 is performed when there is a ruptured artery in the chest due to injury or trauma. The procedure is typically done to control bleeding and is part of a larger treatment plan for the patient. It is important to ensure that the area of bleeding occurred in the chest before reporting this code.

5. When to use CPT code 37616

CPT code 37616 should be used when a healthcare provider performs the ligation of a major artery in the chest to control bleeding caused by injury or trauma. It is important to verify that the procedure is not part of a more comprehensive treatment before reporting this code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 37616, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for ligation of the major artery
• Details of the procedure, including the specific artery ligated and the approach used
• Date of the procedure
• Any additional procedures performed, such as the insertion of chest tubes
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 37616, ensure that the procedure is performed to ligate a major artery in the chest due to injury or trauma. It is important to review the documentation and confirm that the procedure is not part of a more comprehensive treatment. Report any additional procedures performed separately.

8. Historical information

CPT 37616 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code was later added to the Inpatient Only (IPO) list for Medicare in 2017.

9. Examples

1. A patient sustains a chest injury in a car accident, resulting in a ruptured artery. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to ligate the artery and control bleeding.
2. During a surgical procedure, a patient experiences a traumatic injury to a major artery in the chest. The healthcare provider quickly performs CPT 37616 to prevent further complications.
3. A patient presents with a chest trauma that causes a ruptured artery. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to ligation the artery and stop the bleeding.
4. Following a severe chest injury, a patient requires immediate intervention to control bleeding. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to ligate the major artery and stabilize the patient.
5. During a surgical procedure, a patient experiences a rupture of a major artery in the chest. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to prevent excessive bleeding and ensure the patient’s safety.
6. A patient sustains a chest injury in a fall, resulting in a ruptured artery. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to ligate the artery and prevent further complications.
7. Following a traumatic event, a patient presents with a ruptured artery in the chest. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to control bleeding and stabilize the patient’s condition.
8. During a surgical procedure, a patient experiences a rupture of a major artery in the chest. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to ligate the artery and prevent excessive bleeding.
9. A patient sustains a chest injury in an accident, resulting in a ruptured artery. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to ligate the artery and stop the bleeding.
10. Following a severe chest trauma, a patient requires immediate intervention to control bleeding. The healthcare provider performs CPT 37616 to ligate the major artery and stabilize the patient’s condition.