How To Use CPT Code 47537

CPT 47537 describes the percutaneous removal of a biliary drainage catheter with the use of fluoroscopic guidance. 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 47537?

CPT 47537 is used to describe the percutaneous removal of a biliary drainage catheter with the assistance of fluoroscopic guidance. This procedure is performed by a healthcare provider to remove the catheter from a patient who may have biliary stents in place. The code includes the use of imaging technologies such as ultrasound and fluoroscopy, as well as any associated radiological supervision and interpretation.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 47537 is: ‘Removal of biliary drainage catheter, percutaneous, requiring fluoroscopic guidance (eg, with concurrent indwelling biliary stents), including diagnostic cholangiography when performed, imaging guidance (eg, fluoroscopy), and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider prepares the patient for the procedure, ensuring that they are appropriately prepped and anesthetized.
2. Contrast material is injected to visualize the liver and bile ducts.
3. Using ultrasound or image guidance, the provider removes the biliary drainage catheter without disturbing any biliary duct stents that may be in place.
4. If necessary, the provider may perform cholangiography, a radiological procedure that involves injecting a contrast dye into the bile ducts to obtain images of the inside of the ducts.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 47537 is used when a healthcare provider performs the percutaneous removal of a biliary drainage catheter with fluoroscopic guidance. This procedure is typically performed on patients who have biliary stents in place and requires the use of imaging technologies such as ultrasound and fluoroscopy. The code also includes any associated radiological supervision and interpretation.

5. When to use CPT code 47537

CPT code 47537 should be used when a healthcare provider performs the percutaneous removal of a biliary drainage catheter with fluoroscopic guidance. It is important to note that this code should not be reported in conjunction with code 47538 for the same access. If the removal of the catheter does not require fluoroscopic guidance, E/M services should be reported instead.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 47537, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for the removal of the biliary drainage catheter
• Use of fluoroscopic guidance during the procedure
• Date and duration of the procedure
• Any additional procedures performed, such as diagnostic cholangiography
• Associated radiological supervision and interpretation

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 47537, it is important to ensure that the procedure meets the criteria outlined in the code description. The use of fluoroscopic guidance and any associated radiological supervision and interpretation should be documented. It is also important to note that code 47537 should not be reported in conjunction with code 47538 for the same access. Review CPT® and payer-specific guidelines for additional requirements and tips on reporting this code.

8. Historical information

CPT 47537 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2016. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider performs the percutaneous removal of a biliary drainage catheter with fluoroscopic guidance for a patient who has biliary stents in place.
2. Using ultrasound and fluoroscopy, a provider removes a biliary drainage catheter from a patient without disturbing the biliary duct stents.
3. A healthcare provider performs cholangiography and removes a biliary drainage catheter with the assistance of fluoroscopic guidance for a patient with biliary stents.
4. During a percutaneous procedure, a provider removes a biliary drainage catheter using fluoroscopic guidance and ensures that the biliary duct stents remain in place.
5. A healthcare provider performs the percutaneous removal of a biliary drainage catheter with fluoroscopic guidance and interprets the radiological images to ensure the successful removal of the catheter.
6. Using imaging technologies such as ultrasound and fluoroscopy, a provider removes a biliary drainage catheter from a patient who has biliary stents in place.
7. A healthcare provider performs cholangiography and removes a biliary drainage catheter with the assistance of fluoroscopic guidance for a patient with biliary stents.
8. During a percutaneous procedure, a provider removes a biliary drainage catheter using fluoroscopic guidance and ensures that the biliary duct stents remain in place.