Cpt Code for catheter placement: Central & Peripheral catheter

The central venous catheters are placed for providing medication and nutrients directly into the blood stream. Also central line placement helps in the avoiding continuous injection and also helps in the removing blood if needed for any tests. In medical coding, we have separate list for CPT code for central venous catheter placement. The CPT codes include all the codes for temporary and permanent placement of catheters. The codes are divided also into tunneled and non-tunneled catheter. The tunneled catheters are also called as permanent catheters and the non-tunneled catheters are called as temporary catheters. Let’s check out more about CPT code for catheter placement.

Procedure for CPT code for catheter placement

To place a central line access is taken into a vein either centrally (e.g. Subclavian vein, jugular vein) or peripheral vein (eg. cephalic or basilic vein). The access is taken with the help of ultrasound guidance (76937) and the catheter is placed finally under fluoroscopic guidance (77001). A central venous access device or catheter is one in which the tip terminates in the subclavian, brachiocephalic, or iliac vein, the superior or inferior vena cava; or the right atrium. A peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) has an entry site in the basilic or cephalic vein in the arm and is threaded into the superior vena cava above the right atrium.  PICC lines are used for antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, lab work, pain medications, blood transfusions, and hydration the same as a central line. For insertion of a (non-tunneled), peripherally inserted central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, the access vein (basilic or cephalic) is injected with local anesthesia and punctured with a needle. A guide wire is inserted. The central venous catheter is placed over the guide wire.

Cpt Code for catheter placement- Central and Peripheral access

For central venous catheter placement we have separate CPT codes for tunneled and non-tunneled catheter placement. Cpt Code for catheter placement is also divided on the age of the patient. We have separate CPT code for catheter placement for kids with age less than 5 years and CPT codes for patient with more than 5 years. Below is list for CPT code for catheter placement for both central and peripheral inserted central venous catheters.

Do and Don’t Cpt code for catheter placement

Do not code conscious sedation along with CPT code for catheter placement except 36555 and 36556. Conscious Sedation is included with the CPT codes from 36557-36571.

Do code the guidance CPT codes used with CPT code for catheter placement like ultrasound guidance (76937) used for taking access of vein and Fluoroscopic guidance (77001) used for guiding the catheter till the end.

 Do add 52 modifier to the CPT when the catheter is not reached in brachiocephalic, iliac or subclavian veins, vena cava or right atrium. Since, the procedure is reduced and the catheter is not reached to its final position.