Medicare may pay a part . . . or may not

Is any post-cath percutaneous vascular surgery procedure reimbursable? Because the arterial closing is not the principal procedure, and because it has no existing code, for inpatient services the DRG classification of diagnostic or interventional cath procedures will not change as a result of the closure. A miscellaneous ICD-9-CM procedure code, for example, 39.99 (other operations on vessels), or another payer-specific miscellaneous code may be used to document the closure.

For outpatient services, arterial closure devices most likely would be considered a general supply or device under the ancillary services category. General revenue codes for medical surgical supplies and devices are 270, 272, and 279, or 621 and 622. Payment for the devices depends on the payer. Current Medicare policy in the outpatient environment will usually pay some portion. Private insurance normally allows reimbursement for the devices.