Radiology Coding Alert
Varicose Vein Cryosurgery: Unlisted-Procedure Code
Question: Which CPT Code should I report for interventional cryosurgery of varicose veins?
Tennessee Subscriber
Answer: Because CPT does not include a specific code for this procedure, or for its imaging guidance and monitoring, you should report the unlisted vascular surgery procedure code 37799 (Unlisted procedure, vascular surgery) and the unlisted guidance code 76999 (Unlisted ultrasound procedure [e.g., diagnostic, interventional]) unless your carrier specifically instructs otherwise.
Remember to send a short letter with your paper claim explaining the procedure, along with a copy of the operative report. To speed reimbursement, some insurers allow practices to fax the documentation to the carrier and file electronically seven to ten days later. Ask your insurer whether you can file your unlisted-procedure claim this way rather than by mail.
- The answers for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H, RCC, co-owner of Coding Strategies Inc. in Dallas, Ga; and Gary S. Dorfman, MD, FACR, FSIR, representative to the AMA's CPT Advisory Committee.
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