Cardiology Coding Alert

Answer: For this service, you should report a single unit of 37229 (Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, tibial, peroneal artery, unilateral, initial vessel; with atherectomy, includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed).

 

Rationale: Although CPT® specifies 37229 is for the “initial vessel” only, the tibioperoneal trunk does not count as a separate vessel. Therefore you include treatment of lesions in the trunk in the code for treatment of lesions in the posterior tibial artery. CPT® specifically states this rule in the guidelines for the codes.

 

You also should not report separate codes for accessing and catheterizing the artery or for radiological supervision and interpretation. CPT® guidelines indicate these services are part of the work represented by 37229. If a physician must perform extensive repair of the artery or replace it, that physician may report that work separately.