We are having issues with being able to code and charge for using the Power Wand. Access scientific is saying it can be bill and coded like a PICC/Midline. But we are being told since the tip is not in the axillary or subclavian, its considered a PIV (billing wise). Anyone using the Power wand? How are ya'll billing it?
Thanks
Bobby
I work for Access Scientific, makers of The WAND. In response to the question about billing for the POWERWAND, the top CPT billing authority (created by the AMA) states that PICC insertion codes do in fact apply to placement of midlines (a category that covers the POWERWAND).
Our Medical Director checked with the CPT Knowledge Base. He asked if the billing of midlines using the PICC insertion code was how to charge for a midline, and here is their reply:
“This is written in response to your Electronic Inquiry (EI) # 6880. These guidelines and the reporting of PICC insertion codes for midline placement are still in place.”
(Background info from the CPT Knowledge Base: “The creation of the Board is a result of a 2004 American Medical Association, House of Delegates Substitute Resolution 709 (A-04), that called for greater integration between payers and providers … There is no other body that provides this level of wide-ranging expertise, detail or scrutiny to the information published monthly to educate users on the appropriate use of the CPT code set to facilitate reimbursement and analysis of health care information.”)
Great question and I hope I have helped.
-- Teresa Kamps, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC
Clinical Operations Manager
Access Scientific Inc.
P. 858.259.8333 ext 310
[email protected]
www.the-wand.com
I think your problem is a severe lack of knowledge on the part of your coders and you must educate them about correct tip locations. Neither a PICC nor a midline would have the catheter tip residing in the axillary or subclavian vein. A PICC should always have the tip placed at the SVC-RA junction, which would be at least 7 cm away from the end of the subclavian vein. A midline tip location should always be in either the basilic, cephalic, or brachial veins. The basilic and brachial veins merge to form the axillary vein near the lateral edge of the thorax. If placed in the axillary vein, this would put the tip directly in the shoulder joint and be at a much greater risk for complications due to joint movement. So those codes do apply. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861