CPT® Code 90935

The CPT® Code 90935 refers to a hemodialysis procedure that includes a single evaluation by a physician or another qualified healthcare professional. Hemodialysis is a medical treatment used to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys are unable to perform this function adequately due to renal disease. During this procedure, a nurse or technician will insert two needles into a vascular access site that has been previously established. This access site can be an internal fistula or shunt, an internal graft, or, in less common cases, a central venous catheter. Each needle is connected to flexible plastic tubing that links to a dialysis machine. One tube is responsible for drawing blood from the body, which is then circulated through the dialysis machine. Inside the machine, the blood passes alongside a semipermeable membrane, while dialysis fluid flows on the opposite side. This setup allows for the removal of waste products and excess fluids from the blood, which then transfer through the membrane into the dialysis fluid. The cleansed blood is subsequently returned to the body through the second tube. The hemodialysis procedure encapsulated by code 90935 also includes any evaluation and management services that are performed on the same day as the dialysis procedure, specifically those that relate to the patient's renal condition. It is important to note that if multiple evaluation and management services are necessary during the hemodialysis session, CPT® Code 90937 should be utilized instead. This distinction is crucial for accurate coding and billing practices in the context of renal disease management.