Coding for Maze procedure with CABG

Unknown
in CDI Talk Archive
Hoping someone can clear this up for us. We had a pt that had CABG x4 with pulmonary vein isolation Maze procedure and insertion of DDD permanent pacemaker.(pt also had PTCA prior to CABG during this hospital stay). When the coder put the procedures in the coding software it went to the DRG for the Maze which is lower weighted for reimbursement than the DRG for CABG. The Maze was coded as 37.33.
Can anyone tell me why the Maze took precidence over the CABG? and should this be coded differently?
Thanks for your help.

Comments

  • lspryszaklspryszak
    edited May 2016
    The procedure code for the Maze procedure (37.33) is categorized to DRGs 228-230. Coding Clinic, Fourth Quarter 2003 Page: 93 to 95, Effective with discharges: October 1, 2003, discusses what code to assign for the Maze procedure. When multiple surgical procedures are coded, the final DRG is determined by a surgical DRG hierarchy table. If you have a current (2012) or 2011 DRG Expert(C) and consult the Surgical Hierarchy table for MDC 5, you will see that DRGs 228-230 supercede the CABG DRGs. This is how you ended up in that final DRG.
Sign In or Register to comment.