Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: I always get tripped up on reports that include abdominal aortogram with iliofemoral runoff and visualization of the lower extremities. Can I report both 75630 and 75710 or is this 75625?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: To choose the appropriate codes for this service, watch for specific catheter placements within the aorta for the dye injections. 

If the cardiologist performs a high-low, where he performs one study at the level of the renals within the aorta and then repositions the catheter at the aorto-iliac bifurcation and performs another study, you may report two radiological codes. Report 75625 (Aortography, abdominal, by serialography, radiological supervision and interpretation) for the abdominal aorta imaging. Then for the lower extremity imaging from the bifurcation, report either 75710 (Angiography, extremity, unilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation) or 75716 (Angiography, extremity, bilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation). Use 75710 for imaging of one leg and 75716 for imaging of both legs.

If the cardiologist places the catheter at the level of the renals and does not reposition the catheter, but instead images the abdominal aorta and both legs from a single catheter position, you should report 75630 (Aortography, abdominal plus bilateral iliofemoral lower extremity, catheter, by serialography, radiological supervision and interpretation) alone. Documentation for this code should describe imaging to at least the level of the femorals, as the code definition specifies “iliofemoral.”