PopQuiz: Harvesting for a Bypass Graft

[Ruth Sheets]

Question: Procurement of what vein graft is included in a bypass graft, with vein, from the femoral to popliteal arteries?
A. upper extremity vein
B. basilica vein
C. saphenous vein
D. anterior tibial vein

See answer with rationale in the next post.

 

[Ruth Sheets]

Rationale: This would be code 35556. Looking at the guidelines, under Bypass Graft, Vein, is the following. "Procurement of the saphenous vein graft is included in the description of the work of 35501-35587 and should not be reported as a separate service of co-surgery."