Radiology Coding Alert

Question: My interventional radiologist performed an abdominal aortogram with iliofemoral runoffs with lower extremity visualization. Can I report both 75630 and 75710?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: If the radiologist repositions the catheter within the aorta (for instance, he performs one study from high in the abdominal aorta and then repositions the catheter at the aorto-iliac bifurcation), you typically should report 75625 (Aortography, abdominal, by serialography, radiological supervision and interpretation).

Depending on whether he studied one or both extremities, assign 75710 (Angiography, extremity, unilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation) or 75716 (Angiography, extremity, bilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation). Note that the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) supports reporting 75716 without modifier 52 (Reduced services) even if imaging is done only to the knee level.

75630: If the radiologist does not reposition the catheter, you should report only 75630 (Aortography, abdominal plus bilateral iliofemoral lower extremity, catheter, by serialography, radiological supervision and interpretation).

According to SIR, you also may report 75630 when the radiologist repositions the catheter but performs only limited examination of the legs.

Rationale: Code 75630 includes visualization of the same anatomic territory as the combined work of 75625 and 75716.