BackTable Vascular & Interventional Ep. 607 Interventional Radiology Coding & Compliance Essentials with Dr. David Zielske
5 snips
Jan 13, 2026 In an insightful conversation, Dr. David Zielske, an interventional radiology coding expert and founder of Z Health Publishing, shares his journey to mastering coding. He highlights the critical role of accurate documentation in billing and reveals common pitfalls practitioners face. Zielske discusses upcoming key coding updates for 2026, the proper usage of modifiers, and how to avoid disastrous coding mistakes. He also emphasizes the importance of early training in coding for residents and offers essential tips for improving compliance and revenue capture.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Audit What Left Your Office
- Do run regular internal audits and check EOP/EOBs to confirm what codes actually reached payers.
- Audit multiple physicians and inspect hospital charge-entry workflows to catch systematic errors.
Document Medical Necessity Precisely
- Document clear medical necessity and prior imaging when ordering angiography or interventions.
- Always record percent stenosis numerically to support intervention coding.
Explain Why Catheter Angio Was Needed
- When doing angiography at time of intervention, state the prior non-invasive test type and why catheter angiography was needed.
- Use a 59 modifier only when documentation supports a distinct diagnostic service.