Radiology Coding Alert

Question: How does CPT coding differ for angiographies and aortographies?


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Answer: An aortogram is simply an angiogram of the aorta. CPT offers a variety of CPT codes for aortograms, depending on what part of the aorta the physician studies, whether he studies it by catheter or by CT exam, and whether he performs the exam in conjunction with cardiac catheterization.

For radiological supervision and interpretation (RS&I) of a catheter (invasive) aortogram, look to codes 75600-75630 (Aortography ...). For contrast injection into the aorta during cardiac catheterization, see code 93544 (Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization; for aortography).

For CT aortogram with lower-extremity runoff, report code 75635 (Computed tomographic angiography, abdominal aorta and bilateral iliofemoral lower-extremity runoff, radiological supervision and interpretation, without contrast material[s], followed by contrast material[s] and further sections, including image post-processing).

Angiograms have a long list of possible codes, as you'll see in the CPT index under the "Angiography" entry. You should choose the code that matches your documentation. Example: The physician documents RS&I for a pelvic CT angiography meeting all the requirements for 72191 (Computed tomographic angiography, pelvis, without contrast material[s], followed by contrast material[s] and further sections, including image post-processing).

As discussed in "Code This PTA Piece-by-Piece to Capture Every Penny" review the selective angiography examinations' code descriptors to determine which include aortography performed during the same study.