Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 96523 pertains to the irrigation of implanted venous access devices specifically designed for drug delivery systems. These devices, which are often used in patients requiring long-term intravenous therapy, necessitate regular maintenance to ensure their functionality and prevent complications. The primary purpose of irrigation is to prevent the formation of blood clots within the device, which can lead to obstruction and hinder the delivery of medications. During the irrigation process, the site of the venous access device is meticulously cleansed using antiseptic solutions such as alcohol and/or betadine, ensuring a sterile environment to minimize the risk of infection. After cleansing, the site is allowed to air dry to further reduce contamination risks. A needle attached to a syringe is then carefully inserted into the device, and the heparin present in the tubing is aspirated to confirm patency. Once blood return is observed, indicating that the device is open and functioning properly, a syringe preloaded with saline is utilized to flush the device, clearing any potential blockages. Finally, to prevent future clot formation, another syringe containing a premeasured amount of heparin is injected into the venous access device. It is important to note that CPT® Code 96523 should be used exclusively for periodic irrigation services that are not performed in conjunction with any injection or infusion services, ensuring accurate coding and billing practices.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The irrigation of implanted venous access devices, as described by CPT® Code 96523, is indicated for patients who have such devices in place for drug delivery systems. The primary indications for this procedure include:
The procedure for irrigating an implanted venous access device involves several critical steps to ensure safety and effectiveness. The steps are as follows:
After the irrigation procedure is completed, it is important to monitor the site for any signs of complications, such as infection or bleeding. Patients may be advised to keep the site clean and dry and to report any unusual symptoms, such as swelling or redness, to their healthcare provider. Regular follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the condition of the venous access device and determine if further irrigation or maintenance is necessary. Overall, proper post-procedure care is essential to ensure the continued effectiveness of the implanted venous access device.
| Short Descr | IRRIG DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE | Medium Descr | IRRIGAJ IMPLNTD VENOUS ACCESS DRUG DELIVERY SYST | Long Descr | Irrigation of implanted venous access device for drug delivery systems | Status Code | Injection | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 5 - Incident To Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 1 - Medical Care | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P7B - Oncology - other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 231 - Other therapeutic procedures |
| 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | X2 | Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | JZ | Zero drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional on the same day of the procedure or other service: it may be necessary to indicate that on the day a procedure or service identified by a cpt code was performed, the patient's condition required a significant, separately identifiable e/m service above and beyond the other service provided or beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care associated with the procedure that was performed. a significant, separately identifiable e/m service is defined or substantiated by documentation that satisfies the relevant criteria for the respective e/m service to be reported (see evaluation and management services guidelines for instructions on determining level of e/m service). the e/m service may be prompted by the symptom or condition for which the procedure and/or service was provided. as such, different diagnoses are not required for reporting of the e/m services on the same date. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 25 to the appropriate level of e/m service. note: this modifier is not used to report an e/m service that resulted in a decision to perform surgery. see modifier 57 for significant, separately identifiable non-e/m services, see modifier 59. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | JA | Administered intravenously | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | PN | Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | UD | Medicaid level of care 13, as defined by each state | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Medium description changed. Guideline information changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.