April 6, 2026
ICD-10-PCS Coding for Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons in PCI (New Technology Codes)
Overview of Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon Use in PCI
With the expansion of drug-coated balloon technology in coronary interventions, coders must understand how to correctly report Paclitaxel-coated balloon (e.g., AGENT) use during PCI. FY 2025 ICD-10-PCS updates introduced new technology codes to capture this treatment — but correct assignment requires careful attention to documentation and sequencing.
How Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons Are Used in Coronary Interventions
Paclitaxel-coated balloons (DCB) are used during PCI to deliver medication directly to the vessel wall to treat in-stent restenosis and maintain vessel patency.
ICD-10-PCS Coding Guidelines for Drug-Coated Balloons in PCI
Key Coding Principles:
- Code the standard PCI separately using Table 027 (Dilation of Coronary Artery).
- Assign an additional New Technology code from Table XW0 to capture the drug-coated balloon.
- Do not assume drug-coated balloon use is included in angioplasty coding.
Coding Example: Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon PCI
Procedure: PCI with angioplasty of one coronary artery using a Paclitaxel-coated balloon.
Code Assignment:
- 02703ZZ — Dilation of coronary artery, one artery, percutaneous
- XW0J3HA — Paclitaxel-coated balloon technology, one balloon into coronary artery, one artery, percutaneous approach, New Technology Group 10
Documentation and Query Considerations for Accurate Code Assignment
Clinical Indicators:
- PCI performed with balloon angioplasty
- Procedure note references drug-coated balloon use
Query:
Can you clarify whether a drug-coated balloon (e.g., Paclitaxel-coated balloon such as AGENT) was used during this procedure? If so, please specify the number of balloons utilized.
Options:
- Paclitaxel-coated balloon used (specify number of balloons)
- Standard balloon angioplasty only
- Other (please specify)
- Unable to determine
Jessica Lutz, MBA, RHIA, CCS
AHIMA Microcredential: Auditing: Inpatient Coding
Senior Consultant, Audit at UASI
Jessica Lutz serves as a Senior Consultant in Auditing at UASI and is recognized for her ICD-10-CM/PCS expertise and inpatient coding background. She shares coding tips from an auditor’s perspective, highlighting common pitfalls and practical ways coders and CDI teams can improve accuracy and documentation quality.
Works Cited
American Hospital Association. (2024). Paclitaxel-coated balloon coding guidance. AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS, Fourth Quarter 2024, p. 55.
Boston Scientific. (n.d.). AGENT drug-coated balloon inpatient ICD-10-PCS coding reference. Available at: https://www.bostonscientific.com/content/dam/bostonscientific/Interventional%20Cardiology/pdp/agent/IC-1986308-AA_AGENT%20Inpatient%20ICD10%20PCS%20Coding%20Reference_Final.pdf
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). New Technology Add-on Payment (NTAP) information: MEARIS. Available at: https://mearis.cms.gov/public/publications/ntap/NTP241007T6YMA
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents for peripheral arterial disease. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/cardiovascular-devices/paclitaxel-coated-balloons-and-stents-peripheral-arterial-disease
