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Official Description

Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; younger than 5 years of age

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter (CVC) is a medical device that is inserted into a large vein to provide access to the central venous system. This procedure is specifically indicated for patients younger than 5 years of age. The CVC must terminate in one of the major veins, such as the subclavian, brachiocephalic, or iliac veins, or in the superior or inferior vena cava, or the right atrium. The insertion of a non-tunneled CVC involves placing the catheter directly into a vein, which can be the jugular, subclavian, or femoral vein, or the inferior vena cava. This type of catheter is often used for administering medications, fluids, or for drawing blood, especially in pediatric patients who may require frequent venous access. The procedure typically involves the use of local anesthesia at the site of puncture to minimize discomfort. Imaging guidance may be utilized to ensure proper placement of the catheter tip in the desired central position, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The insertion of a non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter (CVC) is indicated for various clinical situations in pediatric patients under the age of 5. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Administration of Medications The need for intravenous access to deliver medications, especially those that are irritative or require central venous administration.
  • Fluid Resuscitation Situations requiring rapid fluid replacement, such as in cases of dehydration or shock.
  • Frequent Blood Sampling The necessity for repeated blood draws for laboratory testing, which can be challenging in young children.
  • Parenteral Nutrition Patients requiring long-term nutritional support through intravenous means.

2. Procedure

The procedure for inserting a non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter (CVC) involves several critical steps to ensure proper placement and minimize complications. The following procedural steps are typically followed:

  • Preparation and Anesthesia The patient is positioned appropriately, and the planned puncture site is cleaned and sterilized. Local anesthesia is administered at the site to reduce discomfort during the procedure.
  • Accessing the Vein Two primary techniques can be employed for accessing the vein: the peel-away cannula technique and the Seldinger technique. In the peel-away cannula technique, a cannula with a stylet is inserted into the selected vein. Once the cannula is in place, the stylet is removed, and the catheter is advanced through the cannula into the vein, continuing until it reaches the brachiocephalic vein, subclavian vein, superior vena cava, or right atrium, or the iliac vein or inferior vena cava.
  • Seldinger Technique Alternatively, the Seldinger technique involves puncturing the skin and vein with a needle. A guidewire is then inserted through the needle and advanced several centimeters into the vein. An introducer sheath and dilator are advanced over the guidewire, after which both the guidewire and dilator are removed. The catheter is then advanced through the introducer sheath and into the appropriate central vein.
  • Verification of Placement Proper placement of the catheter is confirmed through separately reportable radiographs, ensuring that the catheter tip is in the desired central position.
  • Securing the Catheter Once placement is verified, the CVC is secured with sutures to prevent dislodgment, and a sterile dressing is applied over the insertion site to protect it from infection.

3. Post-Procedure

After the insertion of the non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter (CVC), the patient is monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or signs of infection at the insertion site. The catheter site should be kept clean and dry, and the dressing should be changed according to facility protocols. Regular assessments of the catheter's function and the insertion site are essential to ensure that the CVC remains patent and free from infection. Patients may require follow-up imaging to confirm the position of the catheter and to assess for any potential complications. Education for caregivers regarding care and maintenance of the CVC is also crucial to ensure optimal outcomes.

Short Descr INSERT NON-TUNNEL CV CATH
Medium Descr INSJ NON-TUNNELED CENTRAL VENOUS CATH AGE < 5 Y
Long Descr Insertion of non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter; younger than 5 years of age
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 54 - Other vascular catheterization, not heart

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

37252 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; initial noncoronary vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
37253 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; each additional noncoronary vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
2007-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2004-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2004.
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