Radiology Coding Alert

Question: What counts as a prosthesis for +0079T?

Tennessee Subscriber

Answer: The term prosthesis refers to a stent graft, not a bare metal stent, for +0079T (Placement of visceral extension prosthesis for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm involving visceral vessels, each visceral branch [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]).

According to CPT^® Assistant (September 2012), “Visceral extension prosthesis placement requires insertion of a stent graft (sometimes known as a covered graft).” The term applies to both +0079T and +0081T (Placement of visceral extension prosthesis for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm involving visceral vessels, each visceral branch, radiological supervision and interpretation [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]).

The article goes on to state that “Placement of a bare metal stent in a renal or visceral artery, even if placed through an aortic fenestrated or scalloped stent graft, does not warrant the use of either add-on code 0079T or code 0081T.” For bare metal stent placement in an artery outside the target zone, you should instead use 37205-37208 (Transcatheter placement of an intravascular stent[s] [except coronary, carotid, vertebral, iliac, and lower extremity arteries] …) and 75960 (Transcatheter introduction of intravascular stent[s] [except coronary, carotid, vertebral, iliac, and lower extremity artery], percutaneous and/or open, radiological supervision and interpretation, each vessel).

Anatomy tip: The visceral branches referenced in +0079T include the celiac, superior mesenteric, right renal, and left renal.