Forum - Questions & Answers
paracentesis
I need some clarification on Paracentesis, intial vs subsequent. 49080 is the intial procedure, is there any sort ot time frame between intial and subsequent, there is not a global period for either of these. Lets say a pt had the procedure 10 years ago has not had any issues until now, then has the procedure again lets say last week ago, would these be considered a repeat procedure or an intial do to the time span in between procedures. A second senerio, pt has an intial paracentesis last month and now comes back for a subsequent procedure, I would consider this to be a subsequent paracentesis do to the time frame and the same ongoing issue with the pt. Any thoughts on this matter.
Thanks
paracentesis
Use the 49081, if a second paracentesis is done on the same date. Otherwise use the 49080 for each new procedure.
subsequent
Many payers consider subsequent to mean "same episode of care". In other words, if patient is in the hospital and requires a paracentesis (initial) and then 2 days later requires another (same episode of care), then use subsequent for 2nd procedure.