Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Coverage, Coding and Reimbursement Overview Physician 2016 Edition Reimbursement Amounts are Listed at National Medicare Rates and Do Not Include the 2% Sequestration Reduction PHYSICIAN OVERVIEW Physician rates effective January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. COVERAGE Medicare A/B MAC/Carrier Local Coverage Determination Medicaid State Policies Commercial Insurance Plan Design, Medical Policies, Patient Eligibility INFRARENAL AORTIC SEGMENT A CODING REIMBURSEMENT B TYPICAL COMPONENTS OF THE MAIN PROCEDURE TYPICAL COMPONENTS OF THE MAIN PROCEDURE CPT Code Total RVU (facility site) Physician Modifier -50-80 -62 Open Arterial Exposure for Delivery of Aortic Endoprosthesis Open femoral artery exposure by groin incision, unilateral 34812 9.97 1 2 2 Open iliac artery exposure, abdominal or retroperitoneal, unilateral 34820 14.53 1 2 2 Open iliac artery exposure with creation of conduit, unilateral 34833 17.99 1 2 2 Open brachial artery exposure to assist in deployment, unilateral 34834 8.06 1 2 2 Percutaneous Catheter Placements (within treatment zone) NOTE: bundled report only catheter placements outside treatment zone! Delivery and Deployment of Fenestrated Endoprosthesis (visceral segment only, including any extension) C Including one visceral artery endoprosthesis 34841 CP 0 2 2 Including two visceral artery endoprostheses 34842 CP 0 2 2 Including three visceral artery endoprostheses 34843 CP 0 2 2 Including four or more visceral artery endoprostheses 34844 CP 0 2 2 Delivery and Deployment of Fenestrated Endoprosthesis (visceral) with Aortic Endoprosthesis (infrarenal) C Including one visceral artery endoprostheses 34845 CP 0 2 2 Including two visceral artery endoprostheses 34846 CP 0 2 2 Including three visceral artery endoprostheses 34847 CP 0 2 2 Including four or more visceral artery endoprostheses 34848 CP 0 0 0 Radiologic S&I for Deployment of Endoprosthesis NOTE: bundled report only with procedures reportable outside the treatment zone Delivery and Deployment of Extension Endoprosthesis Add-on or Stand Alone NOTE: bundled report only when distal extension terminates in Internal or External Illiac, or Common Femoral! Proximal or distal extension initial vessel 34825 20.55 0 2 2 Each additional vessel +34826 6.07 0 2 2 Radiologic S&I for 34825, 34826 75953-26 1.94 0 0 0 A. Abbreviated CPT code descriptions. See CPT codebook for complete descriptions. B. RVUs per 2016 National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File, January release, dated January 5, 2016. C. Medicare RVUs not yet established services remain Carrier Priced (CP). CPT Code Total RVU (facility site) Physician Modifier -50-80 -62 Open Arterial Exposure for Delivery of Aortic Endoprosthesis (also code catheter placement) Open femoral artery exposure by groin incision, unilateral 34812 9.97 1 2 2 Open iliac artery exposure, abdominal or retroperitoneal, unilateral 34820 14.53 1 2 2 Open iliac artery exposure with creation of conduit, unilateral 34833 17.99 1 2 2 Open brachial artery exposure to assist in deployment, unilateral 34834 8.06 1 2 2 Percutaneous Catheter Placements Non-selective catheter placement in aorta only 36200 4.48 1 1 0 First order selective (example: contralateral common iliac artery) 36245 7.38 1 1 0 Second order selective (example: contralateral external iliac artery) 36246 7.86 1 1 0 Delivery and Deployment of Endoprosthesis Aorto-aortic tube endoprosthesis 34800 33.40 0 2 2 Modular bifurcated endoprosthesis (1 docking limb) 34802 36.85 0 2 2 Modular bifurcated endoprosthesis (2 docking limbs) 34803 38.08 2 2 2 Unibody bifurcated endoprosthesis 34804 36.80 0 2 2 Aorto-uniiliac or aorto-unifemoral endoprosthesis 34805 35.26 0 2 2 Transcatheter placement of wireless pressure sensor during endo repair +34806 2.96 0 2 2 Iliac artery occlusion device placement +34808 6.12 0 2 2 Radiologic S&I for 34800 34805 75952-26 6.40 0 0 0 Ilio-iliac endoprosthesis (no aortic involvement) 34900 26.48 1 2 2 Radiologic S&I for 34900 75954-26 3.24 0 0 0 Vascular embolize / occlude anatomy 37242 14.44 0 1 0 Endovascular repair of iliac artery bifurcation 0254T Radiologic S&I for 0254T 0255T Delivery and Deployment of Extension Endoprosthesis Add-on or Stand Alone Proximal or distal extension initial vessel 34825 20.55 0 2 2 Each additional vessel +34826 6.07 0 2 2 Radiologic S&I for 34825, 34826 75953-26 1.94 0 0 0 Open Repair Following Unsuccessful Endovascular Attempt Aortic tube prosthesis, surgical 34830 52.19 0 2 2 Aorto-bi-iliac prosthesis, surgical 34831 56.23 0 2 2 Aorto-bifemoral prosthesis, surgical 34832 55.85 0 2 2 VISCERAL AORTIC SEGMENT (with, without INFRARENAL SEGMENT) A CODING REIMBURSEMENT B
INFRARENAL AND / OR VISCERAL SEGMENT; ANCILLARY SERVICES THAT MAY BE REPORTABLE A (examples only, not all inclusive) CODING REIMBURSEMENT B Total Physician CPT RVU Modifier PROCEDURES / SERVICES Code (facility site) -50-80 -62 Placement fem-fem prosthetic graft during endo aortic aneurysm repair +34813 7.00 0 2 2 Arterial embolize/occlude artery, including S&I 37242 14.44 0 1 0 Repair blood vessel, direct, lower extremity (major, extensive repair is required) 35226 24.59 1 2 1 Repair blood vessel with other than vein graft, lower extremity (major, extensive repair is required) 35286 27.66 1 2 1 Study (non-invasive) of pressure sensor recording; complete (payable only in non-facility site) 93982 1.22 0 0 0 IVUS non-coronary; initial vessel +37252 2.70 0 0 1 IVUS non-coronary; each additional vessel +37253 2.16 0 0 1 MODIFIERS (Selected modifiers shown Always consult MPFSDB for all modifiers See CPT Appendix A for description) -50 Bilateral Procedure -80 Assistant Surgeon -62 Two Surgeons 0 = pay lesser of charge or 100% of one code 0 = pay restriction, documentation required 0 = payment not permitted 1 = 150% pay adjustment applies for two codes 1 = payment not permitted 1 = pay restriction, documentation required 2 = no payment adjustment, already valued bilateral 2 = may be paid 2 = may be paid, no documentation if two specialties A. Abbreviated CPT code descriptions. See CPT codebook for complete descriptions. B. RVU per 2015 National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File, January release, December 23, 2014.
PHYSICIAN CASE EXAMPLES PHYSICIAN REIMBURSEMENT Appropriate physician reimbursement relies on thorough documentation which supports accurate coding. The endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm can be very complex, requiring many component steps, and sometimes involving two physicians acting as either co-surgeons or a primary and an assistant surgeon. The following cases provide reimbursement estimations for various EVAR scenarios. Consult all professional coding resources available for complete discussion of component coding practice. Confirm practices and requirements with local carriers, and utilize a current CPT Professional edition for complete definitions of codes, terminology, and modifiers. MODIFIERS -50 Bilateral Procedure (RVU x 150%) -51 Multiple Procedures (RVU x 50%) -62 Two Surgeons (RVU x 62.5%) -80 Assistant Surgeon (RVU x 16%) -26 Professional Modifier -51 has been used in this Guide to indicate those procedures that are subject to multiple procedure payment reductions. It is not typically necessary to apply this modifier on the claim for professional services, as the payment reduction will be applied automatically by the payer. CASE 1: MODULAR GRAFT WITH ONE DOCKING LIMB; DEPLOYMENT WITH ASSISTANT SURGEON Description: Bilateral femoral artery exposure, catheter placement into the aorta from both femoral arteries. Placement of modular bifurcated graft with one docking limb. 34802 Main operation 36.85 36.85 36200-50-51 Bilateral catheter 4.48 3.36 75952-26 Radiologic S&I 6.4 6.41 Surgeon Total 54.1 $1,937 34802-80 Main operation 36.85 5.90 Assistant Surgeon Total 7.09 $254 CASE 2: MODULAR GRAFT WITH ONE DOCKING LIMB; DEPLOYMENT WITH CO-SURGEON Description: Surgeon 1 does unilateral open femoral artery exposure. Surgeon 2 places catheters into the aorta bilaterally (one via cutdown, one percutaneous). Both physicians place a modular bifurcated graft with one docking limb. Surgeon 1 closes the open femoral artery exposure. Surgeon 2 performs radiological S&I for the procedure. SURGEON 1 CODES PROCEDURE RVU WITH MODIFIER NATIONAL MEDICARE RATE A 34802-62 Main operation 36.85 23.03 34812-51 Exposure 9.97 4.99 Surgeon 1 Total 28.02 $1,003 SURGEON 2 CODES 34802-62 Main operation 36.85 23.03 36200-50-51 Bilateral catheter 4.48 3.36 75952-26 Radiologic S&I 6.4 6.41 Surgeon Total 32.80 $1,174 A. Conversion factor used for this overview is $35.804, per 2016 National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File, January release, dated January 21, 2016.
CASE 3: MODULAR GRAFT WITH ONE DOCKING LIMB; DEPLOYMENT WITH ASSISTANT SURGEON; PROXIMAL EXTENSION Description: Bilateral femoral artery exposure, catheter placement into the aorta from both femoral arteries. Placement of modular bifurcated graft with one docking limb. Placement of proximal extension in the aorta. 34802 Main operation 36.85 36.88 34825-51 Extension 20.55 10.28 36200-50-51 Bilateral catheter 4.48 3.36 75952-26 Radiologic S&I 6.41 6.51 75953-26 Radiologic S&I 1.94 1.98 Surgeon Total 66.28 $2,373 34802-80 Main operation 36.85 5.90 34825-80-51 Extension 20.55 1.64 Assistant Surgeon Total 8.74 $313 CASE 4: MODULAR GRAFT WITH ONE DOCKING LIMB; DEPLOYMENT WITH ASSISTANT SURGEON, WITH ACCESSORY RENAL ARTERY EMBOLIZATION Description: Bilateral open femoral artery exposure, catheter placement into the aorta from contralateral femoral access. Catheterization and embolization of an accessory renal artery to prevent endoleak (via the ipsilateral femoral access). Placement of modular bifurcated graft with one docking limb. 34802 Main operation 36.85 36.79 37242-51 Embolization 14.44 7.22 36245-51 Catheter 7.38 3.69 36200-59-51 Catheter 4.48 2.24 75952-26 Radiologic S&I 6.41 6.41 Surgeon Total 63.83 $2,285 34802-80 Main operation 36.85 5.90 Assistant Surgeon Total 7.09 $254 A. Conversion factor used for this overview is $35.804, per 2016 National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File, January release, dated January 21, 2016.
CASE 5: MODULAR GRAFT WITH ONE DOCKING LIMB; REPAIR OF ILIAC BIFURCATION ANEURYSM WITH BIFURCATED ENDOPROSTHESIS, WITH ASSISTANT SURGEON Description: Bilateral open femoral artery exposure. Catheter placement in the contralateral and ipsilateral internal iliac arteries. Placement of iliac branch component to treat iliac bifurcation aneurysm. Placement of modular bifurcated graft with one docking limb. 34802 Infrarenal aneurysm 36.85 36.79 repair 0254T Iliac bifurcation repair 34812-50-59-51 Bilateral exposure 9.97 7.48 36246-51 Catheter 7.86 3.93 36245-59-51 Catheter 7.38 3.69 75952-26 Radiologic S&I 6.41 6.41 0255T-26 Radiologic S&I Surgeon Total 58.30 $2,087 34802-80 Infrarenal aneurysm 36.85 5.90 repair 0254T-80 Iliac bifurcation repair Assistant Surgeon Total 7.09 $254 CASE 6: REPAIR OF VISCERAL AORTA AND INFRARENAL AORTA INCLUDING 3 VISCERAL ARTERY ENDOPROSTHESES, WITH EXTENSION EXTENDING INTO EXTERNAL ILIAC, WITH ASSISTANT SURGEON Description: Bilateral open femoral artery exposure. Placement of visceral aortic prosthesis and 3 visceral artery prostheses. Placement of a distal extension extending down into the external iliac. 34847 Visceral and infrarenal aortic repair Surgeon Total 34847-80 Visceral and infrarenal aortic repair Assistant Surgeon Total A. Conversion factor used for this overview is $35.804, per 2016 National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File, January release, dated January 21, 2016.
TERMINOLOGY AND ACRONYMS A/B MAC: A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor. A Medicare contractor responsible for administration and adjudication of claims for hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, physicians and ASC treatment settings. ABN: Advance Beneficiary Notice. A legal, written notice to a Medicare beneficiary from a physician or hospital informing the patient that the health service or item that the physician has prescribed is not or may not be a covered service under Medicare and that the patient will be responsible for payment if denied. Anesthesia Guidelines: The rules for coding and charging are complex. Variable circumstances can include duration, method of anesthesia / sedation, the physician or specialist administering services, and the site of service. Local Medicare policies and the AMA CPT coding book, professional edition, should be consulted for questions regarding the proper coding and billing for anesthesia services. APC: Ambulatory Payment Classification. These are numeric classifications used by Medicare to reimburse services performed in a hospital outpatient setting. An APC will contain multiple HCPCS codes that are similar both clinically and in terms of resources used by the hospital. The APC rate is set prospectively by CMS based on historic claims data. APC Status Indicator: Alpha characters are used to designate the APC payment calculation method. For multiple APCs on a single claim with status indicator T the first APC will be paid at 100% and all others at 50%. For all APCs with Status Indicator S each APC will be paid at 100% without discounting. ASC: Ambulatory Surgery Center. When used by Medicare, this designation describes a legal licensing status establishing a site of service distinct from a physician s office or hospital-based facility. Bundled: Certain supplies / procedures provided by a physician as described by CPT / HCPCS codes may be included ( bundled ) with another service for reimbursement purposes. C-APC: Comprehensive Ambulatory Payment Classification. These APCs provide all-inclusive payments for certain procedures. This policy packages payment for all items and services typically packaged under the OPPS and also packages payment for other items and services that are not typically packaged under the OPPS. The single payment for a comprehensive APC excludes services that cannot be covered by Outpatient Department (OPD) services or cannot by statute be paid under the OPPS. Carrier / Part B: A Medicare contractor responsible for physician and ASC medical policies, adjudication of claims, and other administrative functions. CC: Complications and Comorbidities. Patient conditions utilized as two of several factors in MS-DRG groupers. CCI: Correct Coding Initiative. A listing of CPT codes that are designated as comprehensive or component codes. If comprehensive and component codes are submitted on the same bill, only the comprehensive code will be paid unless a modifier is submitted. Medicare uses these as NCCI (National Correct Coding Initiative) edits. CMS: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal agency that runs the Medicare program. CMS also works with the states to run the Medicaid program. CPT Code: Current Procedural Terminology Code. These 5-digit numeric codes are the property of the American Medical Association and are used to describe physician services. Additionally, Medicare licenses these codes from the AMA and uses them to describe physician, hospital outpatient, ASC services, and other outpatient services. DRG: Diagnosis-Related Group. A numeric classification system used by Medicare and some commercial payers to reimburse for hospital inpatient services. The DRG is assigned by software that considers the ICD-10 procedure and diagnosis codes submitted on a claim. DME: Durable Medical Equipment. Certified supplies, prosthetics, equipment, etc. provided to patients in other than a hospital inpatient setting. DMERC: Durable Medical Equipment Regional Contractor. Medicare contractor that adjudicates claims for DME providers. Facility / Non-Facility: For some physician procedures, the reimbursement is determined by the site of service. If the fee is designated as facility, the procedure is performed in a site of service other than a physician office. If the fee is designated as non-facility, the procedure is performed in a physician office. FI: Fiscal Intermediary / Part A. A Medicare contractor responsible for hospital inpatient and outpatient medical policies, adjudication of claims, and other administrative functions. HCPCS: Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. The name of a coding system established by Medicare to describe services and supplies. The base (Level I) codes are CPT codes. ICD-10: International Classification of Diseases. Alphanumeric clinical coding system for diagnoses and procedures. The combination of procedure and diagnosis codes determines DRG assignment for inpatient reimbursement. ICD-10 procedure 7 character alphanumeric codes (e.g., 04V03DZ Restriction of Abdominal Aorta with Intraluminal Device, Percutaneous Approach) Abbrev: Px. ICD-10 diagnosis 3 7 alphanumeric codes (e.g., I71.4 Abdominal aortic aneurysm, without rupture) Abbrev: Dx. Inpatient: The status used to describe a patient who has been admitted to the hospital. Usually involves multi-day stay. IPPS: Inpatient Prospective Payment System. Medicare per case (see DRG and MS DRG ) methodology for hospital inpatient services. LCD: Local Coverage Determination. The written policies produced by Medicare contractors applicable to geographic areas. A CMS national policy (see NCD ) supersedes a LCD. MCC: Major Complications and Comorbidities. Patient conditions utilized as two of several factors in MS DRG groupers. MCC are typically significant acute manifestations or advanced stages of chronic conditions that would result in higher resource utilization in the course of treatment. MDC: Major Diagnostic Category. Individual MS-DRGs are grouped into mutually exclusive groups based on principal diagnosis. Each group (MDC) generally corresponds to a single organ system and is further organized into a medical or surgical section. A case is assigned to a surgical section MDC based on operating room procedure performed. MS-DRG: Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Group. A numeric classification system used by Medicare to reimburse for hospital inpatient services. The MS-DRG is assigned by the combination of ICD-10 procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and the presence or absence of MCC / CCs as derived from the medical record documentation. The MS-DRG system was designed to more accurately pay hospitals based on patient severity of illness. Modifier: A 2-digit alphanumeric code that is appended to a CPT code for further specificity. NCD: National Coverage Determination. The written policies from Medicare that have a national jurisdiction. A NCD supersedes a LCD. Observation: Hospital outpatient services to monitor and assess a patient for determination of hospital admission. OPPS: Outpatient Prospective Payment System. Medicare per group (see APC ) methodology for hospital outpatient services. Outpatient: A patient admitted to a hospital to receive treatment but not admitted as an inpatient (see Observation ). Packaged: Certain supplies / procedures provided by a facility as described by CPT / HCPCS codes may be included ( packaged ) with another service for reimbursement purposes. Prospective: A predetermined reimbursement rate, regardless of the cost of that service. Pro / Tech: Professional / Technical. For some diagnostic tests, the physician reimbursement is established in two components. The professional component is for the physician supervision, interpretation, and other personal service. The technical component is for the equipment, supplies, staff, and other costs related to the test. S&I: Supervision and Interpretation. This term is sometimes used to differentiate the imaging service (professional reading / interpretation) from other components of the procedure, such as introduction and placement of catheters. Unadjusted Rate: The prospective reimbursement rate before it is adjusted for local factors such as the wage index, graduate medical education, outlier cases, disproportionate share, and other factors. This is sometimes called the national average rate. All Medicare reimbursement will have local adjustment factors. RESOURCES Suggested Resources: Coding and reimbursement is complex, specific to case documentation and variable by geographic location. Always consult current physician, hospital and ASC resources. W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Flagstaff, AZ 86004 800.437.8181 928.779.2771 for additional product information, visit goremedical.com Products listed may not be available in all markets. CPT is a trademark of American Medical Association. GORE and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. 2006 2016 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. AL0805-EN9 MARCH 2016 1. Medicare Coverage Database. National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) and Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). Baltimore, MD: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services -US Department of Health & Human Services. http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/ overview-and-quick-search.aspx. Updated December 15, 2015. Accessed January 15, 2016. 2. American Medical Association. CPT 2016 Professional Edition. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association. 3. American Medical Association. CPT Assistant Newsletter. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association; 2016. 4. CY2016 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Web site. http://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare-fee-for-service- Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation- Notices-Items/CMS-1631-FC.html. Published November 16, 2015. Accessed January 15, 2016. 5. Coverage, Coding, and Reimbursement. W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Web site. http://www.goremedical.com/cms/codingna.jsp. Accessed January 15, 2016. Disclaimer: The payment amounts listed in this guide are national averages. Actual payment will vary based on several factors including the site of the service, geographic location, patient population mix, and hospital teaching status. References to particular applications and procedures listed in this overview do not represent the appropriateness or market availability of any Gore medical product. The information contained in this overview is provided for general information purposes only and should NOT be relied on for submission purposes. Consult your professional resources and the patient s insurer for situation-specific information. Physicians and hospitals are responsible for selecting and reporting the code(s) that most accurately describe the procedure(s) performed, the products used and the patient s condition. The basis for accurate coding is clear and complete documentation in the medical record, precisely describing the procedures performed and products used. Providers should follow coding guidelines from the patient s insurer and should also review the complete coding authorities (e.g., CPT, HCPCS, ICD-9-CM) used by the insurer. The identification of a code in this overview should not be construed to guarantee coverage for a product or procedure or payment in any particular amount.