Q & A with Dr. Z: 37244 vs 37242

By David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC|2025-09-11T12:31:13-04:00September 11th, 2025|Coders' Corner|0 Comments

Question:
For an embolization, if the indication is for gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and when performing the arteriogram, no active extravasation is found but an embolization is still performed, would this be coded as 37244 or 37242?

Answer:
Report code 37244. Not unusual for significant bouts of GI hemorrhage to be intermittent, particularly in the small and large bowel.

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About the Author: David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC

David Zielske is founder and President of ZHealth Publishing and primary author and editor of ZHealth publications. Dr. Z practiced as an interventional radiologist and has over twenty years experience as a coding reviewer and coding expert. He is Board Certified in Radiology and has functioned as an independent interventional radiology, vascular surgery, and cardiovascular coding consultant to a variety of physician groups and hospital providers across the country. He also served as an instructor for over 200 coding seminars. Dr. Zielske can be reached at davidz@ZHealthConsulting.com.

Q & A with Dr. Z: 37244 vs 37242